GEORGE  C.  THORPE 

COLOKEL,  U,  S.  MARINE  CORP3 


AUTHORIZED  FOR  PUBLICATION  BY 
TBS     SECRETARY     O'f         •' 


J,  B,  LIPPINCOTT  CC^  > 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

GIFT  OF 

Robert  C.  Cotton 


9  /  9 


RECRUIT   MANUAL 


BY 

GEORGE  C.  THORPE 

COLONEL,  U.  S.  MARINE  CORPS 


PREPARED   BY  DIRECTION  OF  THE 

BRIGADE    COMMANDER,    SECOND 
PROVISIONAL  BRIGADE,  U.  S.  MARINE  CORPS 


AUTHORIZED  FOR   PUBLICATION   BY 
THE      SECRETARY     OF      THE      NAVY 


PHILADELPHIA  AND  LONDON 
J.   B.    LIPPINCOTT    COMPANY 


COPYRIGHT,  IQI9,  BY 
J.   B.   LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY 


PRINTED   BY  J.   B.   LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY 

AT  THE  WASHINGTON  SQUARE  PRESS 

PHILADELPHIA,  U.  S.  A. 


U,tl3 


PREFACE 

THE  process  of  learning  to  be  a  private  soldier — and  so 
be  "  quit  of  recruit  days  " — should  not  be  long  if  atten- 
tion is  given  to  essentials.  The  traditional  experience 
of  the  recruit  is  that  he  goes  through  a  course  of  in- 
tensive exercises  but  does  not  see  in  print  a  descrip- 
tion of  the  precise  movements  his  body  performs.  Most 
men  are  what  the  psychologists  call  "  visualists  " :  they 
learn  more  quickly  what  they  see  than  what  they  hear. 
If  the  recruit  has  a  manual  to  which  he  can  turn  after 
drill,  his  training  will  be  expedited. 

The  elements  of  the  recruit's  training  come  from  sev- 
eral branches  of  military  art :  infantry  drill,  description 
of  rifle  and  its  ballistics,  signalling,  marksmanship, 
"  first  aid  "  for  the  distressed,  military  law  and  regu- 
lations, laws  of  war,  customs  of  the  service,  field  engi- 
neering, etc.  Few  recruits  have  textbooks  covering 
any  of  these  branches.  With  his  pack  of  sixty  or 
seventy  pounds  to  carry,  the  recruit  is  not  looking  for 
a  military  library.  This  Manual  is  a  compilation  of 
selections  pertinent  to  recruit  training.  The  first 
twenty  sections  are  founded  upon  experience  and  cus- 
tom. Section  XXIII  presents  an  easy  method  of  learn- 
ing Signals.  Section  XXIV  is  a  codification  of  salut- 

797822 


4  PREFACE 

ing  requirements.  Sections  XXV  and  XXVI  are  ex- 
tracts from  Infantry  Drill  Regulations  and  marksman- 
ship instructions.  Section  XXVII  gives  such  "  first- 
aid  "  instructions  as  to  cover  simple  emergency  cases, 
so  that,  from  the  first  day,  the  recruit  will  be  prepared 
to  care  for  himself,  or  succor  others  in  distress. 

Two  important  items  of  training  have  been  omitted 
purposely:  Setting-up  exercises  and  Bayonet  exer- 
cises. The  former  because  there  is  no  necessity  for 
studying  descriptions  because  the  actual  practice  after 
each  reveille  roll  call  will  be  sufficient.  The  civilian 
intending  to  enlist  would  do  well  to  buy  the  booklet  en- 
titled "  My  System  "  by  Dr.  Muller,  a  Dane ;  or  he 
can  invent  his  own  exercises,  which  should  be  such  as 
to  bring  into  play  all  the  muscles  of  the  body :  rotating 
the  head  on  the  shoulders ;  rotating  body  on  hips ;  knee 
stoop ;  thrusting  fists  from  the  chest  to  every  direction ; 
lying  on  back  and  raising  legs  stiff-kneed  from  the  hips, 
and  then,  with  a  pillow  or  something  of  light  weight 
resting  on  the  feet,  and  still  lying  on  back,  raise  and 
lower  body  on  hips ;  resting  a  la  quadruped  on  toes  and 
hands  and  then  raising  and  lowering  body  with  back 
and  knees  stiff ;  and,  most  Important  of  all,  deep  breath- 
ing in  open  air  several  times  daily.  The  Bayonet  exer- 
cises have  been  omitted  because  best  results  are  had 
by  giving  a  wide  range  to  flexibility  in  movements ;  the 
soldier  is  taught  to  use  his  rifle  with  bayonet  in  the 
handiest  way — as  a  club  or  as  a  thrusting  weapon. 


PREFACE  5 

T 

When  the  recruit  joins  the  Colors  he  finds  himself 
amidst  surroundings  entirely  new  and  his  interest,  nat- 
urally, is  at  high-water  mark.  He  is  then  a  personified 
interrogation  point.  That  is  the  psychological  moment 
to  seize  upon  his  interest  and  to  fix  a  spell  upon  him 
that  will  keep  his  interest  "  going."  The  Manual  pro- 
vides answers  to  things  he  will  wish  to  know  the  first 
day ;  it  will  tell  him  how  to  do  things  military ;  and  it 
will  excite  further  interest.  For  example :  Section 
XXII  gives  information  about  the  U.  S.  rifle,  its  char- 
acteristics and  capabilities,  intended  to  excite  interest 
and  thus  cultivate  affection  for  the  rifle,  as  the  coquette 
counts  upon  exciting  the  interest  of  her  intended  vic- 
tim as  a  prelude  to  his  enthrallment. 

A  squad  of  soldiers  is  a  disputatious  unit;  physical 
training  develops  belligerent  spirit  which,  during  the 
period  of  training  when  belligerency  cannot  be  ex- 
pended upon  the  enemy,  must  have  a  safety-valve ;  they 
argue  fiercely  about  anything — and  often  about  some 
technical  point.  The  lieutenant  smiles  at  such  near- 
disorder,  and  sends  a  drill  book  to  the  noisy  squad  room 
to  decide  the  issue.  The  Manual,  ever  present,  would 
be  a  constant  irritant  in  exciting  technical  interest. 

The  Manual  is  also  intended  for  use  of  the  civilian 
who  intends  to  join  the  Colors,  to  save  him  the  embar- 
rassment of  arriving  utterly  "  raw."  G.  C.  T.  • 


RECRUIT   MANUAL 


TO  THE  RECRUIT 

As  soon  as  you  take  the  oath  of  service  upon  enlist- 
ment firmly  resolve  to  make  yourself  to  the  fullest  ex- 
tent useful.  As  in  civil  life  the  employee  who  takes  the 
most  personal  interest  in  furthering  the  business  of  his 
employer  is  the  one  who  gets  ahead,  so  in  military  ser- 
vice a  soldier  who  takes  as  much  interest  in  the  busi- 
ness of  his  unit  as  if  he  were  the  commanding  officer 
will  gain  the  promotions.  You  will  best  acquit  your- 
self, and  thus  best  serve  your  country,  if  you  keep  con- 
stantly in  view  the  proposition  that  military  service  is 
an  active  business  and  that  you  have  a  definite  task. 
In  that  frame  of  mind  you  will  see  your  duties  in  a  prac- 
tical light  and  will  look  for  opportunities  to  make  your- 
self useful.  You  will  also  be  apt  to  use  good  sense 
in  what  you  do. 

There  are  particular  ways  of  doing  things  in  the 
military  organization.  Learn  these  ways  as  quickly 
as  possible.  Learn  the  soldier  way  and  forget  the  ci- 
vilian way.  Uniformity  of  methods  aids  economy  of 
effort.  That  is  the  great  purpose  of  uniformity.  Im- 
agine 100  men  lined  up  for  inspection,  all  the  men  with 


8  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

different  clothes  and  different  equipment  or  adjusted 
in  a  different  way !  What  a  lot  of  time  it  would  take 
to  inspect  such  a  unit!  But  where  all  the  men  are 
supposed  to  have  the  same  articles  attached  in  the  same 
way,  a  glance  down  the  line  will  reveal  a  missing  can- 
teen, or  other  piece  of  equipment,  a  bad  pair  of  shoes, 
or  an  improper  piece  of  uniform.  In  other  words, 
uniformity  in  such  a  case  makes  inspection  nearly  100 
times  easier  and  quicker.  In  the  same  way,  subordina- 
tion and  obedience  aid  economy.  The  Company  has  a 
task  to  do.  The  captain  divides  the  task  among  his  sub- 
ordinate units,  gives  them  their  orders,  and  they  im- 
mediately go  about  their  respective  parts  without 
knowing  the  reason  why.  If  the  captain  has  to  go  to 
each  of  his  subordinate  chiefs  and  explain  his  reason, 
and  if  they  in  turn  must  go  to  each  individual  of  their 
units  to  explain  why  they  should  do  a  certain  work, 
they  all  will  be  a  long  time  in  starting.  But  if  each  in- 
dividual has  the  habit  of  promptly  obeying  whatever 
order  he  receives,  the  captain's  order  will  start  the 
whole  unit  at  its  task.  You  are,  then,  a  part  of  a  great 
machine.  You  must  learn  your  part  and  do  it.  The 
fighting  machine  in  which  the  parts  work  the  best  will 
be  the  machine  that  wins  battles.  It  is  largely  "  up  to  " 
the  recruit.  The  following  notes  may  help  you  to  learn 
your  part  quickly  so  that  you  will  soon  be  able  to 
do  your  part  of  the  great  task  of  winning  battles  for 
your  country. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  9 

I.  The  first  thing  to  appreciate  is  that  you  are  sub- 
ject to  orders  of  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers 
(NCO's)  placed  over  you.    Saturate  yourself  with  the 
idea  that  you  always  will  promptly,  cheerfully  and  care- 
fully obey  orders.     Think  much  more  of  your  duties 
than  of  your  rights.    A  man  who  thinks  much  of  his 
rights,  instead  of  his  duties,  does  not  make  a  good 
soldier.    He  is  called  a  "  sea  lawyer,"  and  is  detested 
by  everyone.    The  fellow  who  thinks  only  of  his  rights 
thinks  only  of  himself,  while  the  fellow  who  thinks  of 
his  duties  thinks  of  others.     Doing  one's  duty  to  the 
Government  is  merely  doing  one's  share  of  the  work.; 
the  man  who  shirks  any  part  of  his  duty,  unlawfully 
shifts  just  that  much  upon  his  comrades.    The  way  it 
works  out  is  that  no  one  wants  to  do  anything  for  the 
shirk  while  everyone  wants  to  do  something  for  the 
generous  willing  hand.     It  is  really  a  paying  proposi- 
tion to  think  of  one's  duties  and  to  look  for  opportuni- 
ties for  helping  out  instead  of  shirking.    It  pays  to  be 
willing  and  anxious  to  do  much  more  than  what  is  ab- 
solutely required. 

II.  One  of  the  first  steps  in  the  recruit's  career  is  to 
report  for  duty.    Learn  how  to  report.    Assuming  that 
your  name  is  Smith  and  that  you  are  reporting  as  or- 
derly, you  say,  "  Private  Smith  reports  for  duty  as  or- 
derly, Sir."    Making  a  request:    "  Private  John  Smith 
requests  permission  to  leave  the  camp,  Sir."    When  re- 
plying to  a  question  or  asking  a  question  or  making  a 


10  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

statement,  conclude  with  "  Sir."  For  example :  "  Yes, 
Sir."  "  The  radio  operator  is  here,  Sir."  The  purpose 
of  these  forms  of  address  is  to  further  uniformity  and 
cohesion,  as  a  sort  of  traditional  password  between 
military  people.  When  a  soldier  reports  thus,  the  of- 
ficer to  whom  he  reports  at  once  recognizes  that  the 
soldier  is  instructed.  It  is  a  part  of  the  technique  of  the 
military  profession. 

III.  From  the  recruiting  office  to  your  first  post  of 
duty  you  will  travel  as  a  member  of  a  detachment 
under  the  command  of  the  senior  member.  Of  course 
you  will  implicitly  obey  the  person  in  command  dur- 
ing the  trip.  Upon  arrival  at  your  post  you  will  be 
assigned  to  a  company.  You  should  then: 

1.  See  the  First  Sergeant  of  your  Company,  and  get 
assigned  to  a  bunk. 

2.  Ask  where  to  go  for  your  uniform  and  equipment. 

3.  Draw  uniform  and  be  sure  to  get  good  fits,  par- 
ticularly comfortable  shoes.    Draw  equipment. 

4.  Settle  yourself  in  an  orderly  manner  in  the  space 
allowed  around  your  bunk,  observing  post  orders  as  to 
uniformity  and  arrangement. 

5.  Buy  a  thin    pocket-notebook   that   will   fit   in    a 
pocket  without  bulging  it. 

6.  Obtain  a  copy  of  garrison  regulations  if  copies 
are  available  for  general  distribution ;  if  not  available,  ask 
the  First  Sergeant  for  his  copy ;  read  it  through  and  note 
in  notebook  all  such  items  as  you  might  not  remember. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  11 

7.  Note  in  notebook  also  the  following: 

(a)  No.  of  rifle  (which  No.  should  always  be  re- 
membered). 

(&)  List  of  articles  of  uniform  supposed  to  be  had 
according  to  orders,  and  the  number  of  such 
articles  actually  drawn.  Check  this  list  weekly 
and  keep  quantity  of  clothing  up  to  require- 
ments. 

(c)  List  all  other  articles  of  Government  property 
supposed  to  be  had  and  the  quantities  actually 
received.     Check  this  list  weekly.     When  any 
article  is  lost  or  broken,  report  same  promptly 
to  First  Sergeant  in  order  that  responsibility 
may  then  and  there  be  fixed,  and  that  the  miss- 
ing article  may  be  replaced.    If  you  delay  this 
procedure  you  will  probably  have  to  pay  for  the 
lost  or  missing  or  broken  articles. 

(d)  Look  on  Order  Board  for  list  of  routine  calls 
and  copy  same  in  notebook.     Note  carefully 
times  for  drill  calls  and  be  particular  to  be  on 
hand  promptly  in  proper  uniform. 

8.  Mark  every  article  of  clothing  as  prescribed  by 
orders. 

IV.  Keep  every  button  sewed  on  and  promptly  mend 
every  rip  or  tear.  Keep  shoes  well  polished  and  the 
uniform  as  smart  as  it  can  be  kept.  The  soldier's  ap- 
pearance is  an  important  feature  to  his  success.  It 
has  been  found  that  the  soldier  who  is  careful  about 


12  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

his  uniform  is  invariably  careful  about  his  duties.  Just 
before  important  raids  at  the  French  front  troops  in- 
tended for  that  great  service  are  taken  to  the  rear 
for  a  short  intensive  training  during  which  great  at- 
tention is  paid  to  the  details  of  personal  appearance, 
exactness  of  dress,  and  military  deportment.  They  say 
that  this  aids  in  cohesion;  that  it  creates  alertness  on 
the  part  of  the  soldier  so  that  he  will  more  quickly 
and  exactly  respond  to  orders  of  his  superiors  at  the 
critical  moment. 

V.  Shave  yourself  daily  if  there  is  anything  to  shave ; 
the  daily  shaves  make  one  feel  well,  whereas  without  a 
shave  one  feels  as  one  looks — sloppy.     Don't  depend 
upon  a  barber  for  shaving. 

VI.  Get  a  military  haircut  at  least  every  two  weeks. 
A  military  haircut  consists  in  having  the  hair  clipped 
for  one  inch  from  bottom  at  sides  and  back  and  cut 
short  on  top. 

VII.  Bathe  daily,  and  be  on  the  lookout  for,  and 
take  precautions  against,  all  kinds  of  vermin.     Don't 
sit  with  bare  skin  against  seats  in  the  Head  (toilet). 

VIII.  See  that  shoes  fit  and  are  kept  in  excellent 
repair.     On  the  march  the  soldier  is  made  miserable 
by  ill-fitting  or  broken-out  shoes. 

IX.  Keep  socks  darned.    Use  only  undarned,  whole 
socks  on  long  marches.     Start  the  march  with  one 
whole  pair  of  strong  socks  on  the  feet  and  two  good 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  13 

pairs  in  the  pack.  Darned  or  holey  socks  blister  the 
feet  on  the  march.  In  barracks  and  on  short  marches  it 
is  good  practice  to  wear 'thin  socks  to  toughen  the  feet. 

X.  After  bathing  the  feet  daily,  dry  them  very  thor- 
oughly; then  rub  them  briskly  with  the  hands  and  see 
that  they  are  perfectly  dry  between  the  toes.    Dust  a  little 
powder  between  the  toes.    If  any  toe-nail  inclines  to  grow 
in,  put  a  small  piece  of  cotton  under  the  nail  where  it 
presses  against  the  flesh,  and  so  train  it  away  from  the 
flesh  it  cuts. 

XI.  Do  your  own  laundry  that  you  may  know  how 
when  you  get  to  the  front  where  you  may  not  have  a 
laundry  or  laundress.    You  will  thus  also  be  independent 
of  dirty  laundry  workers. 

XII.  If  not  a  strong  swimmer,  miss  no  opportunity 
to  go  swimming.    When  there  is  plenty  of  time  for  dry- 
ing clothes,  practice  diving  in,  dressed,  and  practice  res- 
cuing comrades  in  feigned  distress. 

XIII.  Cultivate  your  powers  of  observation  and  atten- 
tion.   Instead  of  going  through  life  with  eyes  shut,  keep 
them  wide  open.    A  good  way  to  improve  along  this  line 
is  to  go  walking  with  a  comrade  and  compete  with  him 
in  seeing  which  one  can  remember  the  largest  number 
of  details  of  the  street  passed  through  or  of  the  country 
passed  over. 

XIV.  Develop  your  initiative.     Be  alert  to  see  what 
should  be  done  and  then  do  it.    Do  not  be  content  with 
always  doing  no  more  than  ordered  to  do,  except  on  duty 


14  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

with  specific  orders  covering  exactly  what  is  to  be  done. 
Do  not  be  content  with  doing  only  the  exercises  that  come 
in  the  unit,  but  take  an  interest  between  drills  so  as  to 
make  yourself  more  fit  than  the  average.  For  example, 
some  of  the  older  soldiers  spend  a  great  deal  of  time  by 
themselves  practising  the  position  and  aiming  drills  pre- 
liminary to  target  practice. 

XV.  Establish  good  relations  with  comrades  and  always 
be  ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand.    Be  good-natured.    Of 
course  you  will  not  be  a  tale-bearer,  but  you  must,  when 
on  duty  or  in  charge,  report  all  violations  of  regulations 
or  orders. 

XVI.  Learn  to  recognize  the  uniforms  of  the  differ- 
ent ranks  and  branches  of  the  service. 

XVII.  Every  captain  is  anxious  to  get  personally  ac- 
quainted with  his  men.    You  should  be  as  anxious  to  get 
personally  acquainted  with  your  officers.  The  best  way 
to  accomplish  this  is  to  earn  recognition  by  conspicuously 
excellent  performance  of]  duty  and  by  earnestness.     Go 
to  your  officers  for  advice  upon  private  affairs  as  well  as 
upon  matters  pertaining  to  duty.    If  you  find  the  officer 
busy  upon  your  first  visit,  try  again.    It  usually  is  re- 
quired that  the  soldier  first  apply  to  the  First  Sergeant 
for  permission  to  see  the  Captain  or  Commanding  Officer. 
The  reason  for  this  is  to  help  the  soldier  and  to  save  the 
officer's  time,  because  in  many  cases  the  First  Sergeant 
can  tell  the  soldier  what  he  wants  to  know,  and  it  must 
be  recognized  that  the  Commanding  Officer  is  a  busy  man 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  15 

and  it  wouldn't  do  for  him  to  give  one  or  more  interviews 
with  every  man  of  his  command  every  day.  If  you  have 
news  from  home  upon  which  you  would  like  advice,  see 
one  of  your  officers. 

XVIII.  If  you  have  some  special  knowledge  or  trade 
that  fits  you  to  do  some  special  duty  better  than  it  is  be- 
ing done,  tell  the  First  Sergeant. 

XIX.  Don't  hesitate  to  ask  questions  of  your  Squad 
Leader  or  Section  Leader.    If  there  is  any  point  in  your 
Drill  Regulations  or  about  your  duty  that  you  do  not 
understand,  first  ask  your  Squad  Leader.     It  is  a  good 
thing  to  discuss  points  in  the  Drill  Regulations  with  your 
comrades. 

XX.  Learn  how  to  make   coffee  and  hot  chocolate, 
and  how  to  mix  and  cook  components  of  the  ration  in  the 
meat  can.    The  Practice  March  offers  a  good  opportunity 
for  experimenting  in  this  line.    Be  always  on  the  look- 
out to  improvise,  and  to  make  best  use  of  the  ration.  It 
is  remarkable  how  much  better  a  meal  one  soldier  will 
make  than  another,  both  using  the  same  ration.     If 
bivouacking  or  resting  on  the  march  near  a  farm,  it  may 
be  possible  to  buy  for  a  penny  an  ear  of  sweet  corn  or  a 
big  potato,  either  of  which  roasted  would  greatly  im- 
prove the  meal.    Learn  how  to  build  a  little  fire  with 
minimum  of  smoke. 

XXI.  You  should  know  that  if  taken  a  prisoner  of  war 
you  should  give,  if  questioned  upon  the  subject,  your 
name  and  rank,  but  no  other  information.    Don't  allow 


16  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

the  enemy  to  pull  your  leg  for  anything  more.  Don't 
let  him  scare  you  into  telling  one  thing  more.  To 
give  other  information  would  aid  the  enemy  and  so  be 
treasonable. 

XXII.  Learn  all  the  parts  of  the  rifle.    See  page  27, 
Infantry  Drill  Regulations,  1911,  or  get  the  pamphlet 
entitled,  "  Description  and  Rules  for  the  Management  of 
the  U.  S.  Rifle."    Also  learn : 
Rifle  caliber  is  .30. 

Weight  of  rifle  without  bayonet  is  9.69  pounds. 
Bayonet  weighs  1  pound. 
Initial  velocity  is  2,700  feet  per  second. 
Bullet     weighs    150    grains     (about     one-third 

ounce). 
Powder   charge    50    grains     (about     one-ninth 

ounce). 
Weight  of  ball  cartridge  395.5  grains  (about  1 

ounce). 
Weight  of  one  bandolier  containing  60  rounds,  3 

pounds. 
Maximum  range  of  rifle,  4,891.6  yards   (about 

2^4  miles  or  5  1-3  kilometers). 
Time  of  flight  for  extreme  range  is  38  seconds. 
25  aimed  shots  have  been  fired  in  1  minute,  and 

40  unaimed. 

At  500  yards  the  bullet  will  penetrate  16  inches 
moist  sand,  13  inches  dry  sand,  2  feet  loam,  14 
inches  seasoned  oak. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  17 

At  100  yards,  it  will  penetrate  a  brick  wall  nearly 
6  inches  thick,  or  one-third  inch  of  boiler  plate 
steel. 

Its  trajectory  is  so  flat  that,  firing  from  prone  posi- 
tion at  500  yards  range,  an  infantryman,  stand- 
ing, or  mounted  man,  would  be  struck  anywhere 
within  500  yards,  or  anywhere  within  125  yards 
in  rear  of  point  of  impact  with  ground;  or  at 
600  yards  range  anywhere  within  such  range 
and  95  yards  beyond. 

The  rifle  has  93  component  parts ;  the  bayonet  12. 

XXIII.  Learn  from  your  Squad  Leader  how  to  dis- 
mount and  assemble  your  rifle.    Look  each  part  over  care- 
fully, learn  its  name,  and  note  that  every  curve,  notch, 
etc.,  of  each  part  has  its  use.     You  will  see  that  your 
U.  S.  Rifle  is  a  remarkable  weapon. 

XXIV.  There  are  two  principal  codes  of  signals  to 
learn:  the  Semaphore  Signals  (with  2  flags)  and  the 
International   Morse    (with    one    flag).      By    adopting 
schemes  as  memory  aids,  you  may  learn  them  easily 
and  quickly.    The  easiest  way  is  by  using  the  Clapp 
Pocket  Signal  Disk,  manufactured  by  Melrose  Stand- 
ard Novelty  Co.,  Melrose,  Mass.    (Cost  about  25  cents.) 
Get  a  comrade  very  much  interested  in  signalling  and 
signal  to  each  other  at  least  a  short  time  each  day.  Sep- 
arate by  about  200  yards  with  the  understanding  that 
the  one  that  fails  to  read  the  other's  signal  will  come  to 
the  other  to  receive  the  message  orally.     Become  ex- 

2 


18  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

pert  signallers.     The   pay   can   be   increased   $3   per 
month. 

1.  The  Semaphore  Code  can  be  learned  in  another  way. 
Draw  in  your  notebook  or  on  a  piece  of  cardboard  the 
dial  of  a  clock  with  marks  at  the  following  o'clocks : 
12  (at  the  top),  1 :30,  3,  4 :30,  6,  7 :30,  9,  10 :30.  Imagine 
the  signaller  behind  the  dial  working  its  hands  with  a 
flag  at  the  end  of  each : 

(a)  Leaving  the  hour  hand  at  6,  move  the  minute 
hand  to : 

7:30  for  A  or  for  Numeral  1  or  for  "  Error  " 

9  for  B  or  for  Numeral  2 
10:30  for  C  or  for  Numeral  3 
12  for  D  or  for  Numeral  4 

1.30  for  E   or  for  Numeral  5 

3       for  F  or  for  Numeral  6 

4:30  for  G  or  for  Numeral  7 

Thus  in  two  or  three  minutes  you  have  learned  one- 
third  of  the  code. 

(&)  Now    hour  hand  comes  into  play;  hold  hour 
hand  at  7 :30  and  move  minute  hand  to : 

9  for  H  or  for  Numeral  8 
10:30  for  I  or  for  Numeral  9 
12  for  K  or  for  word  Negative 

1 :30  for  L  or  for  word  Preparatory 

3        for  M 

4:30  for  N   or  for  word  Annulling 

You  have  now,  in  5  or  10  minutes,  learned  half  the 
code. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  19 

(c)  Hold  hour  hand  at  9  and  move  minute  hand  to : 

10:30  for  O   or  for  the  word  Interrogatory 
12        for  P    or  for  the  word  Affirmative 

1:30  for  Q 

3        for  R  or  for  the  word  Acknowledge 

4:30  for  S 

(rf)  Hold  the  hour  hand  at  12  and  move  the  minute 
hand  to: 

3        for  the  letter  J 
4:30  for  the  letter  V 

(e)  Hold  hour  hand  at  10:30  and  move  minute 
hand  to: 

12       for  the  letter  T 
1:30  for  the  letter  U 

(/)  Hold   hour  hand  at   1 :30  and  move  minute 
hand  to : 

3        for  the  letter  W 
4:30  for  the  letter  X 

(g)  Hold  hour  hand  at  3  and  move  minute  hand  to : 

10:30  for  the  letter  Y 
4:30  for  the  letter  Z 

(ft)  To  call  the  "Attention  "  of  the  objective,  flutter 

the  2  flags,  one  at  10 :30,  the  other  at  1 :30. 
(i)    Between  words  make  "  Interval "  by  bringing 

both  flags  to  6. 

(/)  To  indicate  that  numerals  follow,  cross  flags 
above  12. 


20  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

2.  International  Morse  Code:  used  for  Wig-Wag, 
Telegraph,  Radiograph,  Heliograph,  Searchlight,  Flash 
Lantern,  or  Whistle  signalling: 


E  . 

W.— 

L  .  -  .. 

1     .  

I    .. 

D  -.. 

Y  -.  — 

7 

M      •   • 

S  ... 

U  ..- 

P  .-  -. 

3   ...-- 

H  .... 
T  - 

G  -  -. 
R  .  -  . 

X  -..- 

V  ...  - 

4  ....- 

5 

M-  - 
O  

K  -  .- 

r  .  

z  -  -.. 

Period  .  . 

6  -.... 
7  

A  .- 

J 

B  -... 

Comma   .  -  , 

,-.-    8  .. 

N  -. 
r  - 

F  ..-. 
o 

?        

o,  

0  - 

3.  In  Wig-Wag,  "  position  "  is  with  flag  held  vertically 
above  the  head,  signalman  facing  objective.  To  make  a 
dot,  move  flag  to  right  of  sender  from  vertical  and  back 
to  vertical  quickly  (i.e.,  from  12  to  9  o'clock).  To  make 
dash,  move  flag  from  12  to  3  o'clock  and  back  to  12 
quickly.  A  third  motion,  called  "  3,"  is  from,  vertical  to 
the  front  of  feet  and  back  to  vertical.  To  call  a  station, 
make  its  call  letter  at  intervals  until  acknowledged.  In 
signalling  a  comrade  for  practice  his  call  letter  would  be 
the  first  letter  of  his  name.  If  call  letter  of  objective  is 
unknown,  wave  your  flag  until  acknowledged.  To  ac- 
knowledge a  call,  signal  AA  3  (front).  Other  abbre- 
viations are : 

End  of  word  3    (i.e.,  front) 

End  of  sentence  33 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  21 

End  of  message  333 
Numerals  follow  (or  numerals  end)  xx3 
Signature  follows  sig3 
Error  EE3 
Cease  signalling  AAA3 
Wait  a  moment  1-3 

Repeat  after  (word)  CC3A3  (word) 
Repeat  last  word  CC3 
Repeat  last  message  CCC3 
Move  a  little  to  the  right  RR3 
Move  a  little  to  the  left  LL3 
Signal  faster  .-3 

4.  In  heliograph,  a  short  flash  is  for  dot  and  long 
flash  for  dash. 

5.  In  using  code  by  whistle  or  trumpet,  one  short 
blast  is  for  dot  and  long  blast  for  dash. 

XXV.  Salutes  shall  be  exchanged  between  officers 
and  enlisted  men  not  in  a  military  formation,  nor  at 
drill,  work,  games  or  mess,  on  every  occasion  of  their 
meeting,  passing  near,  or  being  addressed,  the  officer 
junior  in  rank  or  the  enlisted  man  saluting  first: 

1.  When  an  officer  enters  a  room  where  there  are 
several  enlisted  men,  the  word  "Attention  "  is  given  by 
someone  who  perceives  him,  when  all  rise,  uncover, 
and  remain  standing  at  attention  until  the  officer  leaves 
the  room  or  directs  "  Carry  on."     Men  at  mess  stop 
eating  and  sit  at  attention. 

2.  An  enlisted  man  seated  rises  on  the  approach  of 


22  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

an  officer,  faces  toward  him,  stands  at  attention,  and 
salutes.  If  standing,  he  faces  the  officer  for  the  same 
purpose.  If  the  parties  remain  in  the  same  place  or 
on  the  same  ground,  such  compliments  need  not  be 
repeated. 

3.  Before  addressing  an  officer,  a  man  makes  the  pre- 
scribed salute  with  the  weapon  with  which  he  is  armed, 
or,  if  unarmed,  with  the  right  hand ;  he  repeats  the  sa- 
lute at  the  conclusion  of  the  conversation. 

4.  Officers  and  men,  covered  or  uncovered,  salute 
military  persons  as  follows:    With  arms  in  hand,  sa- 
lute prescribed  for  that  arm  (sentinels  on  interior  guard 
duty  excepted) ;  without  arms  in  hand,  the  right  hand 
salute. 

5.  Sentinels  on  interior  guard  duty  and  on  post,  con- 
form to  principles  herein  set  forth  for  saluting,  but  sa- 
lute by  presenting  arms  when  armed  with  rifle.    They  do 
not  salute  if  saluting  unduly  interferes  with  proper  per- 
formance of  their  duties. 

6.  A  man  in  formation  shall  not  salute  when  directly 
addressed,  but  shall  come  to  "  attention  "  if  at  ease  or 
at  rest. 

7.  Saluting  distance  is  that  within  which  recognition 
is  easy — in  general  not  over  30  paces. 

8.  In  public  conveyances,  such  as  railway  trains  and 
street  cars,  and  in  public  places,  such  as  theatres,  salutes 
may  be  omitted  when  palpably  inappropriate  or  apt  to 
disturb  civilians  present. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  23 

9.  A  mounted  man  dismounts  before  addressing  an 
officer. 

10.  The  hand  salute  shall  be  made  as  follows :  Raise 
the  right  hand  smartly  till  the  tip  of  the  forefinger  touches 
the  lower  part  of  the  headdress  or  forehead  above  the 
right  eye,  thumb  and  fingers  extended  and  joined,  palm 
to  the  left,  forearm  inclined  at  about  45  degrees,  hand 
and  wrist  straight ;  at  the  same  time  look  toward  the  per- 
son saluted.    Then  drop  the  arm  smartly  by  the  side  (with- 
out any  stops  or  jerks  in  coming  down).     (Never  salute 
with  left  hand.) 

11.  Officers  of  the  Army,  Navy,  Marine  Corps,  and  of 
foreign  services  of  countries  (not  at  war  with  the  United 
States)  are  saluted  without  prejudice  as  to  the  service 
or  branch  of  the  saluting  person. 

12.  Salutes  and  honors,  as  a  rule,  are  not  paid  by  troops 
actually  engaged  in  drill,  on  the  march,  or  in  the  field  un- 
der campaign  or  simulated  campaign  conditions.   Troops 
on  service  of  security  pay  no  compliments  whatever. 

13.  Whenever  the  National  Anthem  is  played  at  any 
place  where  persons  belonging  to  the  military  service  are 
present,  all  officers  and  men  not  in  formation  shall  stand 
at  attention  facing  toward  the  music  (except  at  Retreat, 
when  they  face  toward  the  flag).     If  covered,  salute  at 
first  note  of  anthem,  retaining  the  position  of  a  salute 
until  the  last  note  of  the  anthem,  if  in  uniform.     If  in 
civilian  dress,  and  covered,  uncover  at  first  note  of  an- 
them, hold  headdress  opposite  left  shoulder  and  so  re- 


24  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

main  until  last  note  of  anthem,  except  in  inclement 
weather  headdress  may  be  slightly  raised.  The  same 
rules  apply  when  "  to  the  color  "  or  "  to  the  standard  " 
is  sounded  as  when  National  Anthem  is.  played. 

14.  In  passing  the  uncased  color,  or  being  passed  by 
such  color,  render  honors  as  follows :  If  in  uniform,  sa- 
lute as  in  paragraph  4  above;  if  in  civilian  dress  and 
covered,  uncover  and  hold  headdress  opposite  left  shoul- 
der with  right  hand ;  if  uncovered,  salute  by  hand  salute. 

15.  Sentinels  guarding  prisoners  at  a  halt,  do  not  ren- 
der honors,  but  escorting  prisoners  on  the  march,  render 
rifle  salute  if  armed  with  rifle ;  otherwise,  the  hand  salute. 

XXVI.  As  soon  as  you  can  obtain  for  your  own  use 
an  Infantry  Drill  Regulations,  U.  S.  A.,  thoroughly  read 
as  far  as  paragraph  158,  of  which  some  parts  should  be 
learned  by  heart.  These  are  the  items  of  your  elementary 
tactical  education  as  a  private.  Then  you  should  read 
paragraphs  199  to  231  and  290  to  326  to  obtain  a  general 
view  of  the  larger  tactical  task  in  which  you,  as  a  soldier, 
participate.  Your  first  aim  must  be  to  make  a  good  pri- 
vate soldier;  when,  from  having  learned  your  duties  in 
that  capacity  and  from  having  had  some  experience,  you 
are  capable  of  instructing  others,  and  leading  them,  you 
must  think  of  becoming  a  corporal.  Then  you  will  study 
the  Drill  Regulations  with  a  view  to  commanding  a  squad. 
When  you  are  a  corporal  and,  having  shown  your  quali- 
fications for  leadership,  you  will  advance  to  higher  and 
higher  rank,  and  with  each  advance  you  will  study  Drill 


RECRUIT  iMANUAL  25 

Regulations  with  special  attention  to  the  requirements 
imposed  by  these  increased  responsibilities.  The  first 
items  of  your  tactical  education  will  be  covered  by  the 
following  instructions  taken  from  Infantry  Drill  Regu- 
lations, U.  S.  Army,  1911,  the  numbers  at  beginning 
of  paragraphs  being  the  numbers  of  paragraphs  in  such 
Drill  Regulations  dealing  with  the  item  presented : 

1.  Success  in  battle  is  the  ultimate  object  of  all  mili- 
tary training;  success  may  be  looked  for  only  when  the 
training  is  intelligent  and  thorough. 

6.  (a)  Drills  executed  at  Attention  and  the  cere- 
monies are  disciplinary  exercises  designed  to  teach  pre- 
cise and  soldierly  movement,  and  to  inculcate  that 
prompt  and  subconscious  obedience  which  is  essential 
to  proper  military  control.  To  this  end  smartness  and 
precision  should  be  exacted  in  the  execution  of  every 
detail. 

(&)  The  purpose  of  extended  order  drill  is  to  teach 
the  mechanism  of  deployment,  of  the  firings,  and,  in 
general,  of  the  employment  of  troops  in  combat.  Such 
drills  are  in  the  nature  of  disciplinary  exercises  and 
should  be  frequent,  thorough  and  exact  in  order  to  hab- 
ituate men  to  the  firm  control  of  their  leaders.  Ex- 
tended order  drill  is  executed  at  ease.  The  Company 
is  the  largest  unit  that  executes  extended  order  drill. 

(c)  Field  exercises  are  for  instruction  in  the  du- 
ties incident  to  campaign.  Assumed  situations  are 
employed. 


26  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

(d)  Combat  exercise,  a  form  of  field  exercise  of  the 
company,  battalion,  and  larger  units,  consists  of  the 
application  of  tactical  principles  to  assumed  situations, 
employing  in  the  execution  the  appropriate  forma- 
tions and  movements  of  close  and  extended  order. 

10.  Any  movement  may   be   executed   either  from 
the  halt  or  when  marching,  unless  otherwise  prescribed. 
If  at  a  halt,  the  command  for  movements  involving 
marching  need  not  be  prefaced   by  forward,   as:    1. 
Column  right  (left),  2.  MARCH. 

11.  Any  movement  not  specially  excepted  may  be 
executed  in  double  time. 

14.  To   stay   the   execution   of   a  movement   when 
marching,  for  the  correction  of  errors,  the  command:  1. 
In  place,  2.  HALT,  is  given.    All  halt  and  stand  fast, 
without  changing  the  position  of  the  pieces.     To  re- 
sume the  movement  the   command:     1.   Resume,  2. 
MARCH,  is  given. 

15.  To  revoke  a  preparatory  command,  or,  being  at 
a  halt,  to  begin  anew  a  movement  improperly  begun, 
command,  AS  YOU  WERE,  at  which  movement  ceases 
and  former  position  is  resumed. 

16.  Unless  otherwise  announced,  the  guide  of  a  com- 
pany or  subdivision  of  a  company,  in  line  is  right;  of  a 
battalion  in  line  or  line  of  subdivisions  or  of  a  deployed 
line,  center;  of  a  rank  in  column  of  squads,  toward 
side  of  the  guide  of  the  company.    To  march  with  guide 
other  than  as  just  prescribed,  or  to  change  the  guide, 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  27 

command :  Guide  (right,  left  or  center).  In  successive 
formations  into  line,  the  guide  is  toward  the  point  of 
rest;  in  platoons  or  larger  subdivisions  it  is  so  an- 
nounced. The  announcement  of  the  guide,  when  given  in 
connection  with  a  movement,  follows  the  command  of 
execution  for  that  movement,  except:  1.  As  skirmish- 
ers, guide  right  (left  or  center),  2.  MARCH. 

18.  Execute  partial  changes  of  direction  by  insert- 
ing the  word  "  half  "  in  the  preparatory  command,  as 
Column  half  right,  or  Right  half  turn.  A  change  of 
45  degrees  is  executed.  Slight  changes  of  direction 
effected  by  command :  "  Incline  to  the  right  (left) : 
The  guide  or  guiding  element  moves  in  indicated  direc- 
tion and  remainder  of  command  conforms. 

21.  In  close  order,  all  details,  detachments,  and 
other  bodies  of  troops  are  habitually  formed  in  double 
rank.  To  insure  uniformity  of  interval  between  files 
when  falling  in,  and  in  alignments,  each  man  places 
the  palm  of  the  left  hand  upon  the  hip,  fingers  pointing 
downward.  In  the  first  case,  hand  is  dropped  by  the 
side  when  next  man  on  left  has  his  interval;  in  second 
case,  at  command  front. 

38.  There  are  two  kinds  of  commands:  (1)  Pre- 
paratory, such  as  forward,  indicates  the  movement  that 
is  to  be  executed.  (2)  Execution,  such  as  MARCH, 
HALT,  or  ARMS,  causes  the  execution.  Preparatory 
commands  are  indicated  by  black  face  lower  case ;  those 
of  execution  by  BLACK  FACE  CAPITALS. 


28  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

50.  POSITION  OF  THE  SOLDIER,  or  ATTEN- 
TION :  Heels  on  the  same  line  and  as  near  each  other 
as  the  conformation  of  the  man  permits.  Feet  turned 
out  equally  and  forming  an  angle  of  about  45  degrees. 
Knees  straight  without  stiffness.  Hips  level  and  drawn 
back  slightly ;  body  erect  and  resting  equally  on  hips ; 
chest  lifted  and  arched;  shoulders  square  and  falling 
equally.  Arms  and  hands  hanging  naturally,  thumb 
along  the  seam  of  the  trousers.  Head  erect  and 
squarely  to  the  front,  chin  drawn  in  so  that  the  axis 
of  the  head  and  neck  is  vertical;  eyes  straight  to  the 
front.  Weight  of  the  body  resting  equally  upon  the 
heels  and  balls  of  the  feet. 

52.  RESTS.     Being  at  halt,    at    command  FALL 
OUT,  men  may  leave  ranks  but  must  remain  in  imme- 
diate vicinity ;  they  resume  their  former  places,  at  at- 
tention, at  command  FALL  IN.    At  command,  REST, 
each  man  keeps  one  foot  in  place  but  need  not  preserve 
silence  or  immobility.    At  command  AT  EASE,  each 
man  keeps  one  foot  in  place  and  preserves  silence  but 
not  immobility. 

53.  1.  Parade,  2.  REST.    Carry  right  foot  6  inches 
straight  to  the  rear,  left    knee    slightly    bent;    clasp 
the  hands,  without  constraint,  in  front  of  center  of 
body,  fingers  joined,  left  hand  uppermost,  left  thumb 
clasped  by  thumb  and  forefinger  of  the  right  hand; 
preserve  silence  and  steadiness  of  position. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  29 

54.  To   resume   attention:    1.    Squad,   2.   ATTEN- 
TION.   The  men  take  the  position  of  the  soldier. 

55.  1.  Eyes,  2.  RIGHT  (LEFT),  3.  FRONT.    At 
command  right,  turn  head  to  right  oblique,  eyes  fixed 
on  the  line  of  eyes  of  the  men  in,  or  supposed  to  be  in, 
same  rank.     At  command  front,  turn  head  and  eyes 
to  front. 

56.  FACINGS.     To  the  flank:   1.   Right   (left),  2. 
FACE.    Raise  slightly  left  heel  and  right  toe ;  face  to 
the   right,  turning  on  the  right  heel,   assisted  by  a 
slight  pressure  on  the  ball  of  the  left  foot;  place  the 
left  foot  by  the  side  of  the  right.    Left  face  is  executed 
similarly  on  the  left  heel.     Right  (left)  half  face  is 
executed  similarly,  facing  45  degrees.     "  To  face  in 
marching  "  and  advance,  turn  on  ball  of  either  foot  and 
step  off  with  the  other  foot  in  the  new  line  of  direction ; 
to  face  in  marching  without  gaining  ground  in  the  new 
direction,  turn  on  the  ball  of  either  foot  and  mark  time. 

57.  To  the  rear:     1.  About,  2.  FACE.    Carry  toe  of 
right  foot  about  a  half  foot-length  to  the  rear  and 
slightly  to  the  left  of  left  heel  without  changing  posi- 
tion of  left  foot ;  face  to  rear,  turning  to  the  right  on  left 
heel  and  right  toe ;  place  right  heel  by  side  of  left. 

59.  STEPS    and    MARCHINGS.     All    steps    and 
marchings,  executed  from  halt,  except  right  step,  begin 
with  left  foot. 

60.  Length  of  full  step  in  quick  time  is  30  inches, 
measured  from  heel  to  heel,  and  the  cadence  is  at  rate 


30  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

of  120  steps  per  minute.  Length  of  full  step  in  double 
time  is  36  inches  and  cadence  is  180.  Instructor,  when 
necessary,  indicates  cadence  by  calling,  one,  two,  three, 
four,  or  left,  right,  the  instant  the  left  and  right  foot, 
respectively,  should  be  planted. 

61.  All  steps  and  marchings  and  movements  involv- 
ing march  are  executed  in  quick  time  unless  squad  be 
marching  in  double  time  or  double  time  be  added  to  the 
command;  in  the  latter  case  double  time  is  added  to 
preparatory  command.      Example:    1.    Squad    right, 
double  time,  2.  MARCH. 

62.  QUICK  TIME.    Being  at  a  halt,  to  march  for- 
ward in  quick  time :  1.  Forward,  2.  MARCH.    At  com- 
mand forward,  shift  weight  of  body  to  right  leg,  left 
knee  straight.    At  command  MARCH,  move  left  foot 
smartly  straight  forward  30  inches  from  the  right,  sole 
near  the  ground,  and  plant  it  without  shock;  next,  in 
like  manner,  advance  right  foot  and  plant  it  as  above ; 
continue  the  march.    The  arms  swing  naturally. 

63.  Being  at  halt,  or  in  march  in  quick  time,  to 
march  in  double  time:  1.  Double  time,  2.  MARCH. 
If  at  halt,  at  first  command  shift  weight  of  body  to 
right  leg.    At  command  MARCH,  raise  the  forearms, 
ringers  closed,  to  a  horizontal  position  along  the  waist 
line;  take  up  an  easy  run  with  step  and  cadence  of 
double  time,  allowing  natural  swinging  motion  to  arms. 
If  marching  in  quick  time,  at  command  march,  given  as 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  31 

either  foot  strikes  the  ground,  take  one  step  in  quick 
time,  and  then  step  off  in  double  time. 

64.  To  resume  quick  time:  1.  Quick  time,  2.  MARCH. 
At  command  march,  given  as  either  foot  strikes  the 
ground,  advance  and  plant  the  other  foot  in  double 
time ;  resume  quick  time,  dropping  hands  by  the  sides. 

65.  To  mark  time.     Being  in  march:  1.  Mark  time, 
2.  MARCH.    At  command  march,  given  as  either  foot 
strikes  the  ground,  advance  and  plant  other  foot ;  bring 
up  the  foot  in  rear  and  continue  the  cadence  by  alter- 
nately raising  each  foot  about  2  inches  and  planting 
it  on  the  line  with  the  other.     Being  at  halt,  at  com- 
mand march,  raise  and  plant  the  feet  as   described 
above. 

66.  1.  Half  step,  2.  MARCH.    Take  steps  of  15  inches 
in  quick  time,  18  inches  in  double  time. 

67.  Forward,  half  step,  halt,  and  mark  time  may  be 
executed  one  from  the  other  in  quick  or  double  time. 
To  resume  the  full  step  from  half  step  or  mark  time : 
1.  Forward,  2.  MARCH. 

68.  Side  step.    Being  at  halt  or  mark  time:  1.  Right 
(left)  step,  2.  MARCH.    Carry  and  plant  right  foot  15 
inches  to  right;  bring  left  foot  beside  it  and  continue 
movement  in  the  cadence  of  quick  time.    The  side  step 
is  used  for  short  distances  only  and  is  not  executed  in 
double  time.    If  at  order  arms,  the  side  step  is  executed 
at  trail  without  command. 

69.  Back  step.    Being  at  halt  or  mark  time:  1.  Back- 


32  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

ward,  2.  MARCH.  Take  steps  of  15  inches  straight  to 
the  rear.  Back  step  is  used  for  short  distances  only  and 
is  not  executed  in  double  time.  If  at  order  arms,  back 
step  is  executed  at  trail  without  command. 

70.  TO   HALT.     To  arrest  the  march  in  quick  or 
double  time:  1.  Squad,  2.  HALT.    At  command  halt, 
given  as  either  foot  strikes  the  ground,  plant  the  other 
foot  as  in  marching ;  raise  and  place  the  first  foot  by  the 
side  of  the  other.     If  in  double  time,  drop  the  hands 
by  the  sides. 

71.  TO  MARCH  BY  THE  FLANK.  Being  in  march : 
1.  By  the  right  (left)  flank,  2.  MARCH.    At  command 
march,  given  as  the  right  foot  strikes  the  ground,  ad- 
vance and  plant  the  left  foot,  then  face  to  the  right  in 
marching  and  step  off  in  the  new  direction  with  the 
right  foot. 

72.  TO   MARCH   TO    THE    REAR.      Being    in 
march:    1.  To  the  rear,  2.  MARCH.     At   command 
march,  given  as  right  foot  strikes  the  ground,  advance 
and  plant  left  foot;  turn  to  right  about  on  balls  of 
both  feet  and  immediately  step  off  with  left  foot.     If 
marching  in  double  time,  turn  to  right  about,  taking 
4  steps  in  place,  keeping  the  cadence,  and  then  step  off 
with  left  foot. 

73.  CHANGE  STEP.     Being  in  march:  1.  Change 
step,  2.  MARCH.    At  command  march,  given  as  right 
foot  strikes  ground,  advance  and  plant  left  foot ;  plant 
toe  of  right  foot  near  heel  of  the  left  and  step  off  with 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  33 

left  foot.  The  change  on  the  right  foot  is  similarly  ex- 
ecuted, the  command  march  being  given  as  left  foot 
strikes  the  ground. 

MANUAL  OF  ARMS 

74.  As  soon  as  practicable,  recruit  is  taught  use,  no- 
menclature, and  care  of  his  rifle;  when  fair  progress 
has  been  made  in  instruction  without  arms,  he  is  taught 
manual  of  arms;  instruction  without  arms  and  that 
with  arms  alternate. 

75.  Following  rules    govern    carrying    the    piece : 
First.  Piece  is  not  carried  with  cartridges  in  either  the 
chamber  or  magazine  except  when  specially  ordered. 
When  so  loaded,  or  supposed  to  be  loaded,  it  is  habitu- 
ally carried  locked;  that  is,   with  safety  lock  turned 
to  "  safe."    At  all  other  times  it  is  carried  unlocked, 
with  trigger  pulled.     Second.    Whenever    troops    are 
formed  under  arms,  pieces  are  immediately  inspected 
at  commands:     1.  Inspection,  2.    ARMS;    3.    Order 
(right  shoulder,  port),  4.  ARMS.    A  similar  inspection 
is  made  immediately  before  dismissal.     If  cartridges 
are  found  in  chamber  or  magazine  they  are  removed 
and  placed  in  belt.    Third.   The  cut-off  is  kept  turned 
"  off "     except    when     cartridges    are    actually    used. 
Fourth.    Bayonet  is  not  fixed  except  in  bayonet  exer- 
cise, on  guard,  or  for  combat.    Fifth.  Fall  in  is  executed 
with  piece  at  order  arms.    Fall  out,  rest,  and  at  ease 
are  executed  as  without  arms.     On  resuming  atten- 

3 


34  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

tion  the  position  of  order  arms  is  taken.  Sixth.  If  at 
order  arms,  unless  otherwise  prescribed,  the  piece  is 
brought  to  the  right  shoulder  at  command  march, 
the  three  motions  corresponding  with  the  first  3  steps. 
Movements  may  be  executed  at  the  trail  by  prefacing 
the  preparatory  command  with  the  words  at  trail;  as 
1.  At  trail,  forward,  2.  MARCH;  the  trail  is  taken  at 
command  march.  When  facings,  alignments,  open  and 
close  ranks,  taking  interval  or  distance,  and  assem- 
blings are  executed  from  the  order,  raise  the  piece  to  the 
trail  while  in  motion  and  resume  the  order  on  halting. 
Seventh.  The  piece  is  brought  to  order  on  halting. 
Execution  of  the  order  begins  when  the  halt  is  com- 
pleted. Eighth.  A  disengaged  hand  in  double  time  is 
held  as  when  without  arms. 

76.  Following  rules  govern  the  execution  of  manual 
of  arms :  First.  In  all  positions  of  left  hand  at  the 
balance  (center  of  gravity,  bayonet  unfixed)  the  thumb 
clasps  the  piece,  the  sling  is  included  in  the  grasp 
of  the  hand.  Second.  In  all  positions  of  the  piece 
"  diagonally  across  the  body  "  the  position  of  the  piece, 
left  arm  and  hand  are  the  same  as  in  port  arms.  Third. 
In  resuming  the  order  from  any  position  in  the  manual, 
the  motion  next  to  the  last  concludes  with  the  butt  of 
the  piece  about  3  inches  from  the  ground,  barrel  to  the 
rear,  the  left  hand  above  and  near  the  right,  steadying 
the  piece,  fingers  extended  and  joined,  forearm  and 
wrist  straight  and  inclining  doWnVard,  all  fingers  of 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  35 

the  right  hand  grasping  the  piece.  To  complete  the 
order,  lower  the  piece  gently  to  the  ground  with  the 
right  hand,  drop  the  left  quickly  by  the  side,  and  take 
the  position  of  order  arms.  Allowing  the  piece  to  drop 
through  the  right  hand  to  the  ground,  or  other  similar 
abuse  of  the  rifle  to  produce  effect  in  executing  the 
manual,  is  prohibited.  Fourth.  The  cadence  of  the 
motions  is  that  of  quick  time ;  recruits  are  first  re- 
quired to  give  their  whole  attention  to  the  details  of 
the  motions,  the  cadence  being  gradually  acquired  as 
they  become  accustomed  to  handling  their  pieces.  The 
instructor  may  require  them  to  count  aloud  in  cadence 
with  the  motions.  Fifth.  The  manual  is  taught  at  a 
halt  and  the  movements  are,  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
struction, divided  into  motions  and  executed  in  detail ; 
in  this  case  the  command  of  execution  determines  the 
prompt  execution  of  the  first  motion,  and  the  com- 
mands, two,  three,  four,  that  of  the  other  motions.  To 
execute  the  movements  in  detail,  the  instructor  first 
cautions :  By  the  numbers ;  all  movements  divided  into 
motions  are  then  executed  as  above  explained  until  he 
cautions:  Without  the  numbers;  or  commands  move- 
ments other  than  those  in  the  manual  of  arms.  Sixth. 
Whenever  circumstances  require,  the  regular  positions 
of  the  manual  of  arms  and  the  firings  may  be  ordered 
without  regard  to  the  previous  position  of  the  piece. 
Under  exceptional  conditions  of  weather  or  fatigue  the 
rifle  may  be  carried  in  any  manner  directed. 


36  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

77.  Position  of  order  arms  standing :  The  butt  rests 
evenly  on  the  ground,  barrel  to  the  rear,  toe  of  the 
butt  on  a  line  with  the  toe  of,  and   touching,  right 
shoe,  arms  and  hands  hanging  naturally,  right  hand 
holding  piece  between  thumb  and  fingers. 

78.  Being   at  order   arms:     1.   Present,   2.   ARMS. 
With  right  hand  carry  piece  in  front  of  center  of  body, 
barrel  to  the  rear  and  vertical,  grasp  it  with  left  hand 
at  balance,  forearm  horizontal  and  resting  against  the 
body.     (TWO)  Grasp  small  of  stock  with  right  hand. 

79.  Being  at  order  arms:    1.  Port,  2.  ARMS.    With 
right  hand  raise   and   throw  piece   diagonally   across 
the  body,  grasp  it  smartly  with  both  hands ;  the  right, 
palm  down,  at  the  small  of  the  stock;  the  left,  palm  up, 
at  the  balance ;  barrel  up,  sloping  to  the  left  and  cross- 
ing opposite  junction  of  the  neck  with  the  left  shoulder ; 
right  forearm  horizontal ;  left  forearm  resting  against 
the  body;  the  piece  in  a  vertical  plane  parallel  to  the 
front. 

80.  Being    at    present    arms:    1.  Port,    2.  ARMS. 
Carry  piece  diagonally  across  body  and  take  the  posi- 
tion of  port  arms. 

81.  Being    at    port    arms:    1.    Present,    2.    ARMS. 
Carry  piece  to  a  vertical  position  in  front  of  center  of 
body  and  take  position  of  present  arms. 

82.  Being  at  present  or  port   arms:    1.   Order,  2. 
ARMS.    Let  go  with  right  hand ;  lower  and  carry  piece 
to  the  right  with  left  hand ;  regrasp  it  with  right  hand 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  37 

just  above  lower  band;  let  go  with  left  hand,  and  take 
the  next  to  the  last  position  in  coming  to  the  order. 
(TWO)  Complete  the  order. 

83.  Being    at    order    arms:    1.    Right    shoulder,    2. 
ARMS.    With  right  hand  raise  and  throw  piece  diag- 
onally across  body;  carry  right  hand  quickly  to  the 
butt,  embracing  it,  the  heel  between  the  first  two  fin- 
gers.    (TWO)  Without  changing  the  grasp  of  right 
hand,  place  the  piece  on  the  right  shoulder,  barrel  up 
and  inclined  at  an  angle  of  about  45  degrees  from  the 
horizontal,  trigger  guard  in  the  hollow  of  the  shoulder, 
right  elbow  near  the  side,  the  piece  in  a  vertical  plane 
perpendicular  to  the  front ;  carry  the  left  hand,  thumb 
and  fingers  extended  and  joined,  to  the  small  of  the 
stock,  tip  of  the  forefinger  touching  the  cocking  piece, 
wrist  straight  and  elbow  down.    (THREE)  Drop  left 
hand  by  the  side. 

84.  Being  at  right  shoulder  arms :  1.  Order,  2.  ARMS. 
Press  the  butt  down  quickly  and  throw  piece  diagon- 
ally across  body,  right  hand  retaining  the  grasp  of  the 
butt.    (TWO),  (THREE)  Execute  order  arms  as  de- 
scribed from  port  arms. 

85.  Being  at  port  arms:  1.  Right  shoulder,  2.  ARMS. 
Change  right  hand  to  the  butt.    (TWO),  (THREE)  As 
in  right  shoulder  arms  from  order  arms. 

86.  Being  at  right  shoulder  arms :    1.  Port,  2.  ARMS. 
Press  butt  down  quickly  and  throw  piece  diagonally 
across  the  body,  right  hand  retaining  its  grasp  of  the 


38  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

butt.     (TWO)    Change  right   hand  to   small   of  the 
stock. 

87.  Being  at  right   shoulder  arms:    1.   Present,  2. 
ARMS.    Execute  port  arms.    (THREE)  Execute  pre- 
sent arms. 

88.  Being  at  present  arms:     1.  Right  shoulder,  2. 
ARMS.     Execute    port    arms.     (TWO),  (THREE), 
(FOUR)   Execute  right  shoulder  arms  as  from  port 
arms. 

89.  Being  at  port  arms :    1.  Left  shoulder,  2.  ARMS. 
Carry  the  piece  with  right  hand  and  place  it  on  the  left 
shoulder,  barrel  up,  trigger  guard  in  hollow  of  the 
shoulder;  at   same   time   grasp   butt   with   left   hand, 
heel  between  first  and  second  fingers,  thumb  and  fingers 
closed  on  the  stock.    (TWO)  Drop  right  hand  by  the 
side. 

Being  at  left  shoulder  arms:  1.  Port,  2.  ARMS. 
Grasp  piece  with  right  hand  at  small  of  stock.  (TWO) 
Carry  piece  to  right  with  right  hand,  regrasp  it  with 
left,  and  take  position  of  port  arms.  Left  shoulder 
arms  may  be  ordered  directly  from  the  order,  right  shoul- 
der or  present,  or  the  reverse.  At  command  arms 
execute  port  arms  and  continue  in  cadence  to  the  posi- 
tion ordered. 

90.  Being  at  order  arms:   1.  Parade,  2.  REST.  Carry 
right  foot  6  inches  straight  to  the  rear,  left  knee  slightly 
bent;  carry  muzzle  in  front  of  center  of  body,  barrel 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  39 

to  the  left ;  grasp  piece  with  left  hand  just  below  stack- 
ing swivel,  and  with  right  hand  below  and  against  left. 
Being  at  parade  rest:  1.  Squad,  2.  ATTENTION. 
Resume  the  order,  the  left  hand  quitting  the  piece  op- 
posite the  right  hip. 

91.  Being  at  order  arms :    1.  Trail,  2.  ARMS.    Raise 
piece,  right  arm  slightly  bent,  and  incline  the  muzzle 
forward  so  that  the  barrel  makes  an  angle  of  about  30 
degrees  with  the  vertical.    When  it  can  be  done  with- 
out danger  or  inconvenience  to  others,  the  piece  may 
be  grasped  at  the  balance  and  the  muzzle  lowered  until 
the  piece  is  horizontal;  a  similar  position  in  the  left 
hand  may  be  used. 

92.  Being  at  trail  arms:   1.  Order,  2.  ARMS.   Lower 
piece  with  right  hand  and  resume  order. 

Rifle  Salute 

93.  Being  at  right  shoulder  arms:     1.  Rifle,  2.  SA- 
LUTE.    Carry  left  hand  smartly  to  small  of  stock, 
forearm  horizontal,  palm  of  hand  down,  thumb  and 
fingers  extended  and  joined,  forefinger  touching  end  of 
cocking  piece ;  look  toward  the  person  saluted.  (TWO) 
Drop  left  hand  by  the  side ;  turn  head  and  eyes  to  the 
front. 

94.  Being  at  order  or  trail  arms:     1.  Rifle,  2.  SA- 
LUTE.    Carry  left  hand  smartly  to  the  right  side, 
palm  of  the  hand  down,  thumb  and  fingers  extended 
and  joined,  forefinger  against  piece  near  the  muzzle; 


40  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

look  toward  the  person  saluted.  (TWO)  Drop  left 
hand  by  the  side ;  turn  the  head  and  eyes  to  the  front. 

The  Bayonet 

95.  Being  at  order  arms:     1.  Fix,  2.  BAYONET. 

If  the  bayonet  scabbard  is  carried  on  the  belt:  Exe- 
cute parade  rest ;  grasp  bayonet  with  right  hand,  back 
of  hand  toward  the  body ;  draw  bayonet  from  scabbard 
and  fix  it  on  the  barrel,  glancing  at  muzzle;  resume 
order.  If  bayonet  is  carried  on  haversack :  Draw  bayo- 
net with  left  hand  and  fix  it  in  most  convenient 
manner. 

96.  Being  at  order  arms:     1.  Unfix,  2.  BAYONET. 
If  bayonet  is  carried  on  belt :  Execute  parade  rest ;  grasp 
handle  of  bayonet  firmly  with  right  hand,  pressing  the 
spring  with  forefinger  of  right  hand;  raise  bayonet 
until  handle  is  about  12  inches  above  muzzle  of  piece ; 
drop  point  to  the  left,  back  of  hand  toward  the  body, 
and,  glancing  at  scabbard,  return  bayonet,  blade  pass- 
ing between  left  arm  and  the  body;  regrasp  the  piece 
with  right  hand  and  resume  the  order.     If  bayonet 
scabbard  is  carried  on  haversack:  Take  bayonet  from 
rifle  with  left  hand  and  return  it  to  scabbard  in  most 
convenient  and  expeditious  manner.     If  marching  or 
lying  down,  bayonet  is  fixed  and  unfixed  in  most  expe- 
ditious and  convenient  manner  and  the  piece  returned 
to  the  original  position.     Fix  and  unfix  bayonet  are 


41 

executed  with  promptness  and  regularity  but  not  in 
cadence. 

97.  CHARGE  BAYONET.     Whether  executed  at 
halt  or  in  motion,  the  bayonet  is  held  toward  the  op- 
ponent as  in  the  position  of  guard  in  the  Manual  for 
Bayonet  Exercise. 

The  Inspection 

98.  Being  at  order  arms:     1.  Inspection,  2.  ARMS. 
At  second  command  take  position  of  port  arms.  (TWO) 
Seize  the  bolt  handle  with  thumb  and  forefinger  of 
right  hand,  turn  handle  up,  draw  bolt  back,  and  glance 
at  chamber.    Having  found  chamber  empty,  or  having 
emptied  it,  raise  the  head  and  eyes  to  the  front. 

99.  Being  at  inspection  arms:      1.    Order    (Right 
shoulder,  Port),  2.  ARMS.    At  preparatory  command 
push  bolt  forward,  turn  handle  down,  pull  trigger,  and 
resume  port  arms.    At  command  arms  complete  move- 
ment ordered. 

To  Dismiss  the  Squad 

100.  Being  at  halt:   1.  Inspection,  2.  ARMS,  3.  Port. 
4.  ARMS,  5.  DISMISSED. 

School  of  the  Squad 

101.  Soldiers  are  grouped  into  squads  for  instruc- 
tion, discipline,  control  and  order. 

102.  Squad  proper  consists  of  a  corporal  and  7  pri- 


42  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

vates.  The  movements  in  the  School  of  the  Squad  are 
designed  to  make  the  squad  a  fixed  unit  and  to  facili- 
tate control  and  movement  of  the  company.  If  the 
number  of  men  grouped  is  more  than  3  and  less  than 
12,  they  are  formed  as  a  squad  of  4  files,  the  excess 
above  8  being  posted  as  file  closers.  If  number  grouped 
is  greater  than  11,  2  or  more  squads  are  formed  and  the 
group  is  termed  a  platoon.  For  the  instruction  of  re- 
cruits these  rules  may  be  modified. 

103.  The  corporal  is  the  squad  leader,  and  when  ab- 
sent is  replaced  by  a  designated  private.    If  no  private 
is  designated,  the  senior  in  length  of  service  acts  as 
leader.    The  corporal,  when  in  ranks,  is  posted  as  left 
man  in  front  rank  of  the  squad.     When  the  corporal 
leaves  the  ranks  to  lead  the  squad,  his  rear  rank  man 
steps  into  the  front  rank,  and  the  file  remains  blank 
until  the  corporal  returns  to  his  place  in  ranks,  when 
his  rear  rank  man  steps  back  into  the  rear  rank. 

104.  In  battle  officers  and  sergeants  endeavor  to  pre- 
serve the  integrity  of  squads ;  they  designate  new  lead- 
ers to  replace   those  disabled,   organize   new   squads 
when  necessary,  and  see  that  every  man  is  placed  in 
a  squad.     Men  are  taught  the  necessity  of  remaining 
with  the  squad  to  which  they  belong  and,  in  case  it  be 
broken  up  or  they  become  separated  therefrom,  to  at- 
tach  themselves   to   the   nearest   squad    and   platoon 
leaders,  whether  these  be  of  their  own  or  of  another  or- 
ganization. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  43 

105.  The  squad  executes  the    halt,    rests,    facings, 
steps,  and  marchings,  and  the  manual  of  arms  as  ex- 
plained in  the  School  of  the  Soldier. 

To  Form  the  Squad 

106.  To  form  the  squad  the  instructor  places  him- 
self 3  paces  in  front  of  where  the  center  is  to  be  and 
commands :  FALL  IN.    The  men  assemble  at  attention, 
pieces  at  the  order,  and  are  arranged  by  the  corporal 
in  double  rank,  as  nearly  as  practicable  in  order  of 
height  from  right  to  left,  each  man  dropping  his  left 
hand  as  soon  as  the  man  on  his  left  has  his  interval. 
The  rear  rank  forms  with  distance  of  40  inches.    The 
instructor  then  commands:    COUNT  OFF.    At  this 
command  all  except  the  right  file  execute  eyes  right, 
and,  beginning  on  the  right,  the  men  in  each  rank  count 
one,  two,  three,  four ;  each  man  turns  his  head  and  eyes 
to  the  front  as  he  counts.    Pieces  are  then  inspected. 

Alignments 

107.  To  align  the  squad,  the  base  file  or  files  having 
been   established:    1.   Right    (Left),    2.    DRESS,    3. 
FRONT.    At  the  command  dress  all  the  men  place  the 
left  hand  upon  the  hip  (whether  dressing  to  the  right 
or  left) ;  each  man,  except  the  base  file,  when  on  or  near 
the  new  line  executes  eyes  right  and  taking  steps  of  2 
or  3  inches,  places  himself  so  that  his  right  arm  rests 
lightly  against  the  arm  of  the  man  on  his  right,  and  so 


44  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

that  his  eyes  and  shoulders  are  in  line  with  those  of 
the  men  on  his  right ;  the  rear-rank  men  cover  in  file. 
The  instructor  verifies  the  alignment  of  both  ranks  from 
the  right  flank  and  orders  up  or  back  such  men  as  may 
be  in  rear,  or  in  advance,  of  the  line ;  only  the  men  desig- 
nated move.  At  the  command  front,  given  when  the 
ranks  are  aligned,  each  man  turns  his  head  and  eyes 
to  the  front  and  drops  his  left  hand  by  his  side.  In  the 
first  drills  the  basis  of  the  alignment  is  established  on, 
or  parallel  to,  the  front  of  the  squad ;  afterwards  in 
oblique  directions.  Whenever  the  position  of  the  base 
file  or  files  necessitates  a  considerable  movement  by  the 
squad,  such  movement  will  be  executed  by  marching 
to  the  front  or  oblique,  to  the  flank  or  backward,  as  the 
case  may  be,  without  other  command,  and  at  the  trail. 
108.  To  preserve  the  alignment  when  marching: 
GUIDE  RIGHT  (LEFT).  The  men  preserve  their 
intervals  from  the  side  of  the  guide,  yielding  to  pres- 
sure from  that  side  and  resisting  pressure  from  the 
opposite  direction;  they  recover  intervals,  if  lost,  by 
gradually  opening  out  or  closing  in ;  they  recover  align- 
ment by  slightly  lengthening  or  shortening  the  step; 
the  rear-rank  men  cover  their  file  leaders  at  40  inches. 
In  double  rank,  the  front-rank  man  on  the  right,  or 
designated  flank,  conducts  the  march;  when  march- 
ing faced  to  the  flank,  the  leading  man  of  the  front 
rank  is  the  guide. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  45 

To  Take  Intervals  and  Distances 

109.  Being  in  line  at  halt:    1.  Take  interval,  2.  To 
the  right  (left),  3.  MARCH,  4.  Squad,  5.  HALT.    At 
second   command   rear-rank  men   march   backward  4 
steps  and  halt;  at  command  march  all  face  to  right 
and  the  leading  man  of  each  rank  steps  off;  the  other 
men  step  off  in  succession,  each  following  the  preced- 
ing man  at  4  paces,  rear-rank  men  marching  abreast 
of  their  file  leaders.    At  command  halt,  given  when  all 
have  their  intervals,  all  halt  and  face  to  the  front. 

110.  Being  at  intervals,  to  assemble  the  squad:     1. 
Assemble,  to  the  right  (left),  2.  MARCH.    The  front- 
rank  man  on  the  right  stands  fast,  the  rear-rank  man 
on  the  right  closes  to  40  inches.    The  other  men  face 
to  the  right,  close  by  the  shortest  line,  and  face  to  the 
front. 

111.  Being  in  line  at  halt  and  having  counted  off: 
1.  Take  distance,  2.  MARCH,  3.  Squad,  4.  HALT.    At 
command  march,  No.  1  of  front  rank  moves  straight  to 
the  front;  Nos.  2,  3  and  4  of  front  rank  and  Nos.  1,  2, 
3,  and  4  of  rear  rank,  in  order  named,  move  straight  to 
the  front,  each  stepping  off  so  as  to  follow  the  preced- 
ing man  at  4  paces.    Command  halt  is  given  when  all 
have  their  distances.    In  case  more  than  1  squad  is  in 
line,  each  squad  executes  the  movement  as  above.  The 
guide  of  each  rank  of  numbers  is  right. 

112.  Being  at  distances,  to  assemble  the  squad:  1. 


46  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

Assemble,  2.  MARCH.  No.  1  of  front  rank  stands  fast ; 
the  other  numbers  move  forward  to  their  proper  places 
in  line. 

To  Stack  and  Take  Arms 

113.  Being  in  line  at  halt:  STACK  ARMS.  Each 
even  number  of  front  rank  grasps  his  piece  with  left 
hand  at  upper  band  and  rests  butt  between  his  feet, 
barrel  to  front,  muzzle  inclined  slightly  to  the  front 
and  opposite  center  of  the  interval  on  his  right,  the 
thumb  and  forefinger  raising  the  stacking  swivel ;  each 
even  number  of  the  rear  rank  then  passes  his  piece, 
barrel  to  the  rear,  to  his  file  leader,  who  grasps  it  be- 
tween the  bands  with  his  right  hand  and  throws  the 
butt  about  2  feet  in  advance  of  that  of  his  own  piece 
and  opposite  the  right  of  the  interval,  the  right  hand 
slipping  to  the  upper  band,  the  thumb  and  forefinger 
raising  the  stacking  swivel,  which  he  engages  with  that 
of  his  own  piece;  each  odd  number  of  the  front  rank 
raises  his  piece  with  the  right  hand,  carries  it  well  for- 
ward, barrel  to  the  front;  the  left  hand,  guiding  the 
stacking  swivel,  engages  the  lower  hook  of  the  swivel 
of  his  own  piece  with  the  free  hook  of  that  of  the  even 
number  of  the  rear  rank ;  he  then  turns  the  barrel  out- 
ward into  the  angle  formed  by  the  other  two  pieces 
and  lowers  the  butt  to  the  ground,  to  the  right  of  and 
against  the  toe  of  his  right  shoe.  The  stacks  made,  the 
lo*ose  pieces  are  laid  on  them  by  the  even  numbers  of 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  47 

the  front  rank.    When  each  man  has  finished  handling 
pieces,  he  takes  position  of  the  soldier. 

114.  Being  in  line  behind  stacks:     TAKE  ARMS. 
The  loose  pieces  are  returned  by  the  even  numbers  of 
the  front  rank;  each  even  number  of  the  front  rank 
grasps  his  own  piece  with  the  left  hand,  the  piece  of 
his  rear-rank  man  with  his  right  hand,  grasping  both 
between  the  bands ;  each  odd  number  of  the  front  rank 
grasps  his  piece  in  the  same  way  with  the  right  hand, 
disengages  it  by  raising  the  butt  from  the  ground  and 
then,  turning  the  piece  to  the  right,  detaches  it  from 
the  stack;  each  even  number  of  the  front  rank  dis- 
engages and  detaches  his  piece  by  turning  it  to  the 
left,  and  then  passes  the  piece  of  his  rear-rank  man 
to  him,  and  all  resume  the  order. 

115.  Should  any  squad  have  Nos.  2  and  3  blank  files, 
No.  1  rear  rank  takes  the  place  of  No.  2  rear  rank  in 
making  and  breaking  the  stack;  the  stacks  made  or 
broken,  he  resumes  his  post.    Pieces  not  used  in  mak- 
ing the  stack  are  termed  loose  pieces.    Pieces  are  never 
stacked  with  bayonet  fixed. 

The  Oblique  March 

116.  For  instruction  of  recruits,  the  squad  being  in 
column  or  correctly  aligned,  the  instructor  causes  the 
squad  to  face  half  right  or  half  left,  points  out  to  the 
men  their  relative  positions,  and  explains  that  these 
are  to  be  maintained  in  the  oblique  march. 


48  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

117.  1.  Right  (left)  oblique,  2.  MARCH.    Each  man 
steps  off  in  a  direction  45  degrees  to  the  right  of  his 
original  front.    He  preserves  his  relative  position,  keep- 
ing his  shoulders  parallel  to  those  of  the  guide   (the 
man  on  the  right  front  of  the  line  or  column),  and  so 
regulates  his  step  that  the  ranks  remain  parallel  to 
their  original  front.     At  command  halt  the  men  halt 
faced  to  the  front.    To  resume  the  original  direction : 
1.  Forward,  2.  MARCH.    The  men  half  face  to  the  left 
in  marching  and  then  move  straight  to  the  front.    If  at 
half  step  or  mark  time  while  marching,  the  oblique 
march  is    resumed    by    commands:      1.    Oblique,    2. 
MARCH. 

To  Turn  on  Moving  Pivot 

118.  Being  in  line:  1.  Right  (left)  turn,  2.  MARCH. 
The  movement  is  executed  by  each  rank  successively 
and  on  the  same  ground.     At  second  command,  the 
pivot  man  of  front  rank  faces  to  right  in  marching  and 
takes  the  half  step ;  the  other  men  of  the  rank  oblique 
to  the  right  until  opposite  their  places  in  line,  then  exe- 
cute a  second  right  oblique  and  take  the  half  step  on 
arriving  abreast  of  the  pivot  man.    All  glance  toward 
the  marching  flank  while  at  half  step  and  take  full 
step  without  command  as  the  last  man  arrives  on  the 
line. 

Right  (left)  half  turn  is  executed  in  a  similar  man- 
ner. The  pivot  man  makes  a  half  change  of  direction 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  49 

to  the  right  and  the  other  men  make  quarter  changes 
in  obliquing. 

To  Turn  on  Fixed  Pivot 

119.  Being  in  line,  to  turn  and   march:    1.   Squad 
right  (left),  2.  MARCH.    At  second  command,  right 
flank  man  in  front  rank  faces  to  the  right  in  marching 
and  marks   time ;   the   other  front-rank  men   oblique 
to  the  right,  place  themselves  abreast  of  the  pivot  and 
mark  time.     In  the  rear  rank  the  third  man  from  the 
right,  followed   in   column   by   the   second   and   first, 
moves  straight  to  the  front  until  in  rear  of  his  front- 
rank  man,  when  all  face  to  the  right  in  marching  and 
mark  time;  the  other  number  of  the  rear  rank  moves 
straight  to  the  front  4  paces  and  places  himself  abreast 
of  the  man  on  his  right.    Men  on  the  new  line  glance 
toward  the  marching  flank  while  marking  time  and, 
as  the  last  man  arrives  on  the  line,  both  ranks  execute 
forward,  MARCH,  without  command. 

120.  Being  in  line,  to  turn  and  halt:    1.  Squad  right 
(left),  2.  MARCH,  3.  Squad,  4.  HALT.     The  third 
command  is  given  immediately  after  the  second.    The 
turn  is  executed  as  prescribed  in  the  preceding  para- 
graph except  that  all  men,  on  arriving  on  the  new  line, 
mark  time  until  the  fourth  command  is  given,  when 
all  halt.    The  fourth  command  should  be  given  as  last 
man  arrives  on  line. 

121.  Being  in  line,  to  turn  about  and  march:     1. 
4 


50  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

Squad  right  (left)  about,  2.  MARCH.  At  second  com- 
mand, front  rank  twice  executes  squad  right,  initiating 
the  second  squad  right  when  the  man  on  the  marching 
flank  has  arrived  abreast  of  the  rank.  In  the  rear  rank 
the  third  man  from  the  right,  followed  by  the  second 
and  first  in  column,  moves  straight  to  the  front 
until  on  the  prolongation  of  the  line  to  be  occupied  by 
the  rear  rank;  changes  direction  to  the  right;  moves  in 
the  new  direction  until  in  rear  of  his  front-rank  man, 
when  all  face  to1  the  right  in  marching,  mark  time,  and 
glance  toward  the  marching  flank.  The  fourth  man 
marches  on  the  left  of  the  third  to  his  new  position ; 
as  he  arrives  on  the  line,  both  ranks  execute  forward, 
march,  without  command. 

122.  Being  in  line,  to  turn  about  and  halt:  1.  Squad 
right  (left)  about,  2.  MARCH,  3.  Squad,  4.  HALT. 
The  third  command  is  given   immediately  after  the 
second.    The  turn  is  executed  as  prescribed  in  preced- 
ing paragraph  except  that  all  men,  on  arriving  on  the 
new  line,  mark  time  until  the  fourth  command  is  given, 
when  all  halt.    The  fourth  command  should  be  given 
as  last  man  arrives  on  the  line. 

To  Follow  the  Corporal 

123.  Being   assembled   or   deployed,    to   march   the 
squad  without   unnecessary   commands,  the   corporal 
places  himself  in  front  of  it  and  commands  :  FOLLOW 
ME.    If  in  line  or  skirmish  line,  No.  2  of  the  front  rank 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  51 

follows  in  the  trace  of  the  corporal  at  about  three 
paces ;  the  other  men  conform  to  movements  of  No. 
2,  guiding  on  him  and  maintaining  their  relative  posi- 
tions. If  in  column,  the  head  of  the  column  follows 
the  corporal. 

To  Deploy  as  Skirmishers 

124.  Being  in  any  formation,  assembled :    1.  As  skir- 
mishers, 2.  MARCH.    The  corporal  places  himself  in 
front  of  the  squad,  if  not  already  there.     Moving  at  a 
run,  the  men  place  themselves  abreast  of  the  corporal 
at  half-pace  intervals,  Nos.  1  and  2  on  his  right,  Nos. 
3  and  4  on  his  left,  rear-rank  men  on  the  right  of  their 
file  leaders,  extra  men  on  the  left  of  No.  4;  all  then  con- 
form to  the  corporal's  gait.    When  the  squad  is  acting 
alone,  skirmish  line  is  similarly  formed  on  No.  2  of  the 
front  rank,  who  stands  fast  or  continues  the  march,  as 
the  case  may  be;  the  corporal  places  himself  in  front 
of  the  squad  when  advancing  and  in  rear  when  halted. 
When  deployed  as  skirmishers,  the  men  march  at  ease, 
pieces  at  the  trail  unless  otherwise  ordered.    The  cor- 
poral is  the  guide  when  in  the  line;  otherwise  No.  2 
front  rank  is  the  guide. 

125.  The  normal  interval  between  skirmishers  is  one- 
half  pace,  resulting  practically  in  one  man  per  yard  of 
front.    The  front  of  a  squad  thus  deployed  as  skirmish- 
ers is  about  10  paces. 


52  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

To  Increase  or  Diminish  Intervals 

126.  If  assembled,  and  it  is   desired  to  deploy  at 
greater  than  the  normal  interval;  or  if  deployed,  and 
it  is  desired  to  increase  or  decrease  the  interval:    1.  As 
skirmishers  (so  many)  paces,  2.  MARCH.     Intervals 
are  taken  at  the  indicated  number  of  paces.    If  already 
deployed,  the  men  move  by  the  flank  toward  or  away 
from  the  guide. 

The  Assembly 

127.  Being  deployed:     1.    Assemble,    2.    MARCH. 
The'  men  move  toward  the  corporal  and  form  in  their 
proper  places.     If  the  corporal  continues  to  advance, 
the  men  move  in  double  time,  form,  and  follow  him. 
The    assembly    while    marching   to    the    rear   is    not 
executed. 

Kneeling  and  Lying  Down 

128.  If  standing:  KNEEL.    Half  face  to  the  right; 
carry  the  right  toe  about  one  foot  to  the  left  rear  of  the 
left  heel ;  kneel  on  right  knee,  sitting  as  nearly  as  pos- 
sible on  the  right  heel ;  left  forearm  across  left  thigh ; 
piece  remains  in  position  of  order  arms,  right  hand 
grasping  it  above  the  lower  band. 

129.  If  standing  or  kneeling:    LIE  DOWN.    Kneel, 
but  with  right  knee  against  left  heel;  carry  back  the 
left  foot  and  lie  flat  on  the  belly,  inclining  body  about 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  53 

35  degrees  to  the  right;  piece  horizontal,  barrel  up, 
muzzle  on  the  ground  and  pointed  to  the  front ;  elbows 
on  the  ground;  left  hand  at  the  balance,  right  hand 
grasping  the  small  of  the  stock  opposite  the  neck.  This 
is  the  position  of  order  arms,  lying  down. 

130.  If  kneeling  or  lying  down  :  RISE.    If  kneeling, 
stand  up,  faced  to  the  front,  on  the  ground  marked  by 
the  left  heel.    If  lying  down,  raise  body  on  both  knees, 
stand  up,  faced  to  the  front,  on  ground  marked  by 
knees. 

131.  If  lying  down:  KNEEL.    Raise  body  on  both 
knees;  take  position  of  kneel. 

132.  In  double  rank,  the  positions  of  kneeling  and 
lying  down  are   ordinarily  used  only  for  the  better 
utilization  of  cover.     When  deployed  as  skirmishers, 
a  sitting  position  may  be  taken  in  lieu   of  position 
kneeling. 

Loadings  and  Firings 

133.  Commands  for  loading  and  firing  are  the  same 
whether  standing,  kneeling  or  lying  down.     Firings 
are  always  executed  at  halt.    When  kneeling  or  lying 
down  in  double  rank,  the  rear  rank  does  not  load,  aim 
or  fire.     Instruction  in  firing  will  be  preceded  by  a 
command  for  loading.     Loadings  are  executed  in  line 
and  skirmish  line  only. 

134.  Pieces    having   been    ordered    loaded  are  kept 
loaded  without  command  until   command  unload  or 


54  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

inspection  arms,  fresh  clips  being  inserted  when  the 
magazine  is  exhausted. 

135.  The  aiming  point  or  target  is  carefully  pointed 
out.    This  may  be  done  before  or  after  announcing  the 
sight-setting.     Both    are   indicated   before  giving  the 
command  for  firing,  but  may  be  omitted  when  the  tar- 
get appears  suddenly   and  is  unmistakable ;  in  such 
case,  battle  sight  is  used  if  no  sight-setting  is  an- 
nounced. 

136.  The  target  or  aiming  point  having  been  desig- 
nated and  the  sight-setting  announced,  such  designa- 
tions or  announcements  need  not  be  repeated  until  a 
change  of  either  or  both  is  necessary. 

Troops  are  trained  to  continue  their  fire  upon  the 
aiming  point  or  target  designated,  and  at  the  sight- 
setting  announced,  until  a  change  is  ordered. 

137.  If  the  men  are  not  already  in  the  position  of 
load,  that  position  is  taken  at  the  announcement  of  the 
sight-setting;  if  the  announcement  is  omitted,  the  posi- 
tion is  taken  at  the  first  command  for  firing. 

138.  When  deployed,  the  use  of  the  sling  as  an  aid 
to  accurate  firing  is  discretionary  with  each  man. 

To  Load 

139.  Being  in  line  of  skirmish  line  at  halt:  1.  With 
dummy  (blank  or  ball)  cartridges,  2.  LOAD.    At  com- 
mand load  each  front-rank  man  or  skirmisher  faces 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  55 

half  right  and  carries  the  right  foot  to  the  right,  about 
one  foot,  to  such  position  as  will  insure  the  greatest 
firmness  and  steadiness  of  the  body;  raises,  or  low- 
ers, the  piece  and  drops  it  into  the  left  hand  at  the  bal- 
ance, left  thumb  extended  along  stock,  muzzle  at 
height  of  breast,  and  turns  the  cut-off  up.  With  the 
right  hand  he  turns  and  draws  the  bolt  back,  takes  the 
loaded  clip  and  inserts  the  end  in  the  clip  slot, 
places  the  thumb  on  the  powder  space  of  the  top  car- 
tridge, the  fingers  extending  around  the  piece  and  tips 
resting  on  the  magazine  floor  plate ;  forces  the  car- 
tridges into  the  magazine  by  pressing  down  with  the 
thumb;  without  removing  the  clip,  thrusts  the  bolt 
home,  turning  down  the  handle ;  turns  the  safety  lock 
to  the  "  safe  "  and  carries  the  hand  to  the  small  of  the 
stock.  Each  rear-rank  man  moves  to  the  right  front, 
takes  a  similar  position  opposite  the  interval  to  the 
right  of  his  front-rank  man,  muzzle  of  the  piece  ex- 
tending beyond  the  front  rank,  and  loads.  A  skirmish 
line  may  load  while  moving,  the  pieces  being  held  as 
nearly  as  practicable  in  the  position  of  load.  If  kneel- 
ing or  sitting,  the  position  of  the  piece  is  similar;  if 
kneeling,  the  left  forearm  rests  on  the  left  thigh;  if 
sitting,  the  elbows  are  supported  by  the  knees.  If  ly- 
ing down,  the  left  hand  steadies  and  supports  the  piece 
at  the  balance,  the  toe  of  the  butt  resting  on  the  ground, 
the  muzzle  off  the  ground.  For  reference,  these  posi- 


56  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

tions  (standing,  kneeling,  and  lying  down)  are  desig- 
nated as  that  of  load. 

140.  For  instruction    in    loading:    1.    Simulate,    2. 
LOAD.    Executed  as  above  described  except  that  the 
cut-off  remains  "  off,"  and  the  handling  of  cartridges 
is  simulated.     The   recruits    are  first  taught  to  simu- 
late loading  and  firing ;  after  a  few  lessons  dummy  car- 
tridges may  be  used.    Later,  blank  cartridges  may  be 
used. 

141.  The  rifle  may  be  used  as  a  single  loader  by  turn- 
ing the  magazine  "  off."    The  magazine  may  be  filled 
in  whole  or  in  part  while  "  off  "  or  "  on  "  by  pressing 
cartridges  singly  down  and  back  until  they  are  in  the 
proper  place.    The  use  of  the  rifle  as  a  single  loader 
is,  however,  to  be  regarded  as  exceptional. 

To  Unload 

142.  UNLOAD.     Take   the  position  of  load,  turn 
the  safety  lock  up  and  move  both  alternately  back 
and  forward  until  all  the  cartridges  are  ejected.   After 
the   last  cartridge  is   ejected,  the  chamber  is  closed 
by  first  thrusting  the  bolt  slightly  forward  to  free  it 
from  the  stud  holding  it  in  place  when  the  chamber 
is  open,  pressing  the  follower  down  and  back  to  engage 
it  under  the  bolt  and  then  thrusting  the  bolt  home ; 
the  trigger  is  pulled.     The  cartridges  are  then  picked 
up,  cleaned,  and  returned  to  the  belt  and  the  piece  is 
brought  to  the  order. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  57 

To  Set  the  Sight 

143.  RANGE,  ELEVEN    HUNDRED     (EIGHT- 
FIFTY),  or  BATTLE  SIGHT.    The  sight  is  set  at  the 
elevation  indicated.    The  instructor  explains  and  veri- 
fies sight-setting. 

To  Fire  by  Volley 

144.  1.  Ready,  2.  Aim,  3.  Squad,  4.  FIRE.  At  com- 
mand ready  turn  safety  lock  to  the  "  ready  " ;  at  com- 
mand aim  raise  the  piece  with  both  hands  and  support 
the  butt  firmly  against  the  hollow  of  the  right  shoul- 
der, right  thumb  clasping  the  stock,  barrel  horizontal, 
left  elbow  well  under  the  piece,  right  elbow  as  high 
as  the  shoulder;  incline  the  head  slightly  forward  and  a 
little  to  the  right,  cheek  against  the   stock,  left  eye 
closed,  right  eye  looking  through  the  notch  of  the  rear 
sight  so  as  to  perceive  the  object  aimed  at,  second  joint 
of  forefinger  resting  lightly  against  front  of  trigger 
and  taking  up  the  slack;  top  of  front  sight  is  care- 
fully raised  into,  and  held  in,  the  line  of  sight.     Each 
rear-rank  man  aims  through  the  interval  to  the  right 
of  his  file  leader  and  leans  slightly  forward  to  advance 
the  muzzle  of  his  piece  beyond  the  front  rank.    In  aim- 
ing kneeling,  th  :   left  elbow  rests  on  the  left  knee, 
point  of  elbow  in  front  of  knee-cap.    In  aiming  sitting, 
the  elbows  are  supported  by  the  knees.     In  aiming 
lying  down,  raise  the  piece  with  both  hands;  rest  on 
both  elbows  and  press  the  butt  firmly  against  the  right 


58  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

shoulder.  At  the  command  fire  press  the  finger  against 
the  trigger ;  fire  without  deranging  the  aim  and  without 
lowering  or  turning  the  piece;  lower  the  piece  in  the 
position  of  load  and  load. 

145.  To  continue  the  firing:    1.  AIM,  2.  Squad,  3. 
FIRE.     Each  command  is  executed  as  previously  ex- 
plained.   Load  (from  magazine)  is  executed  by  draw- 
ing back  and  thrusting  home  the  bolt  with  the  right 
hand,  leaving  the  safety  lock  at  the  "  ready." 

To  Fire  at  Will 

146.  FIRE  AT  WILL.    Each  man,  independently  of 
the  others,  comes  to  the  ready,  aims  carefully  and  delib- 
erately at  the  aiming  point  or  target,  fires,  loads,  and 
continues  the  firing  until  ordered  to  suspend  or  cease 
firing. 

147.  To  increase  (decrease)  the  rate  of  fire  in  prog- 
ress  the  instructor  shouts:   FASTER    (SLOWER). 
Men  are  trained  to  fire  at  the  rate  of  about  three  shots 
per  minute  at  effective  ranges  and  five  or  six  at  close 
range,  devoting  the  minimum  of  time  to  loading  and 
the  maximum  to  deliberate  aiming.    To  illustrate  the 
necessity  for  deliberation,  and  to    habituate    men    to 
combat  conditions,  small  and  comparatively  indistinct 
targets  are  designated. 

To  Fire  by  Clip 

148.  CLIP   FIRE.     Executed   in   same   manner   as 
fire  at  will,  except  that  each  man,  after  having  ex- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  59 

hausted    the   cartridges   then   in   the   piece,   suspends 
firing. 

To  Suspend  Firing 

149.  The  instructor  blows  a  long  blast  of  the  whistle 
and  repeats  same,  if  necessary,  or  commands :  SUS- 
PEND FIRING.    Firing  stops ;  pieces  are  held,  loaded 
and  locked,  in  a  position  of  readiness  for  instant  re- 
sumption of  firing,  rear  sights  unchanged.     The  men 
continue  to  observe  the  target  or  aiming  point,  or  the 
place  at  which  the  target  disappeared,  or  at  which  it 
is  expected  to  reappear.     This  whistle  signal  may  be 
used  as  a  preliminary  to  cease  firing. 

To  Cease  Firing 

150.  CEASE   FIRING.     Firing   stops;   pieces   not 
already  there  are  brought  to  the  position  of  load ;  those 
not  loaded  are  loaded ;  sights  are  laid,  pieces  are  locked 
and  brought  to  the  order.    Cease  firing  is  used  for  long 
pauses,  to  prepare  for  changes  of  position,  or  to  steady 
the  men. 

151.  Commands  for  suspending  or  ceasing  fire  may 
be  given  at  any  time  after  the  preparatory  command 
for  firing  whether  firing  has  actually  commenced  or 
not. 

628.  Under  "Marches,"  note:  "The  drinking  of 
water  on  the  march  should  be  avoided.  The  thirst 
should  be  thoroughly  quenched  before  starting  on  the 


60  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

march  and  after  arrival  in  camp.  On  the  march  the  use 
of  water  should,  in  general,  be  confined  to  gargling  the 
mouth  and  throat  or  to  an  occasional  small  drink  at 
most." 

Inspections 

745.  Being  in  line  at  halt :  1.  Open  ranks,  2.  MARCH. 
At  command  march  the  front  rank  executes  right 
dress ;  the  rear  rank  and  the  file  closers  march  back- 
ward four  steps,  halt,  and  execute  right  dress;  the 
lieutenants  pass  around  their  respective  flanks  and 
take  post,  facing  to  the  front,  three  paces  in  front  of 
center  of  their  respective  platoons.  Captain  aligns 
front  rank,  rear  rank,  and  file  closers,  takes  post  three 
paces  in  front  of  right  guide,  facing  to  the  left,  and 
commands:  1.  FRONT,  2.  PREPARE  FOR  INSPEC- 
TION. At  second  command  lieutenants  carry  saber; 
captain  returns  saber  and  inspects  them,  after  which 
they  face  about,  order  saber,  and  stand  at  ease ;  upon 
completion  of  inspection  they  carry  saber,  face  about, 
and  order  saber.  Captain  may  direct  lieutenants  to 
accompany  or  assist  him,  in  which  case  they  return 
saber  and,  at  close  of  inspection,  resume  their  posts 
in  front  of  company,  draw  and  carry  saber.  Having 
inspected  lieutenants,  captain  proceeds  to  right  of  com- 
pany. Each  man,  as  captain  approaches  him,  executes 
inspection  arms.  Captain  takes  the  piece,  grasping 
it  with  his  right  hand  just  above  rear  sight,  the  man  drop- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  61 

ping  his  hands.  The  captain  inspects  the  piece,  and, 
with  the  hand  and  piece  in  same  position  as  in  receiv- 
ing it,  hands  it  back  to  the  man,  who  takes  it  with  left 
hand  at  balance  and  executes  order  arms.  As  captain 
returns  piece  the  next  man  executes  inspection  arms, 
and  so  on  through  the  company.  Should  piece  be  in- 
spected without  handling,  each  man  executes  order 
arms  as  soon  as  captain  passes  to  the  next  man.  The  in- 
spection is  from  right  to  left  in  front,  and  from  left  to 
right  in  rear,  of  each  rank  and  of  the  line  of  file  clos- 
ers. When  approached  by  captain,  the  first  sergeant 
executes  inspection  saber.  Enlisted  men  armed  with 
pistol  execute  inspection  pistol  by  drawing  pistol  from 
holster  and  holding  it  diagonally  across  the  body, 
barrel  up,  and  6  inches  in  front  of  the  neck,  muzzle 
pointing  up  and  to  the  left.  Pistol  is  returned  to  holster 
as  soon  as  captain  passes.  Upon  completion  of  inspec- 
tion captain  takes  post  facing  to  the  left  in  front  of  the 
right  guide  and  on  line  with  lieutenants  and  com- 
mands :  1.  Close  ranks,  2.  MARCH.  At  command 
march  lieutenants  resume  their  posts  in  line ;  rear  rank 
closes  to  40  inches,  each  man  covering  his  file  leader ; 
file  closers  close  to  2  paces  from  rear  rank. 

746.  If  company  is  dismissed,  rifles  are  put  away.  In 
quarters,  headdress  and  accoutrements  are  removed 
and  the  men  stand  near  their  respective  bunks ;  in  camp 
they  stand  covered,  but  without  accoutrements,  in 
front  of  their  tents.  If  the  personnel  field  equipment 


62  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

has  not  been  inspected  in  ranks  and  its  inspection  in 
quarters  or  camp  is  ordered,  each  man  will  arrange  the 
prescribed  articles  on  his  bunk,  if  in  quarters  or  per- 
manent camp,  or  in  front  of  his  half  of  the  tent,  in  shel- 
ter tent  camp,  in  the  same  relative  order  as  directed  in 
paragraph  747.  Captain  accompanied  by  lieutenants 
then  inspects  quarters  or  camp.  The  first  sergeant  pre- 
cedes captain  and  calls  the  men  to  attention  on  entering 
each  squad  room  or  on  approaching  the  tents ;  the  men 
stand  at  attention  but  do  not  salute. 

FOR  TROOPS  EQUIPPED  WITH  INFANTRY 
EQUIPMENT,  MODEL  1910: 

747.  If  inspection  is  to  include  an  examination  of  the 
equipment  while  in  ranks,  captain,  after  closing  ranks, 
causes  company  to  stack  arms,  to  march  backward  un- 
til 4  paces  in  rear  of  the  stacks  and  to  take  intervals. 
He  then  commands:  1.  UNSLING  EQUIPMENT,  2. 
OPEN  PACKS.  At  first  command,  each  man  unslings 
his  equipment  and  places  it  on  the  ground  at  his  feet, 
haversack  to  the  front  end  of  the  pack  1  foot  in  front 
of  toes.  At  second  command,  pack  carriers  are  un- 
strapped, packs  removed  and  unrolled,  the  longer  edge 
of  the  pack  along  the  lower  edge  of  the  cartridge 
belt.  Each  man  exposes  shelter  tent  pins,  removes 
meat  can,  knife,  fork  and  spoon  from  meat-can 
pouch,  and  places  them  on  the  right  of  haver- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  63 

sack,  knife,  fork  and  spoon  in  the  open  meat  can ;  re- 
moves canteen  and  cup  from  cover  and  places  them 
on  the  left  side  of  haversack ;  unstraps  and  spreads  out 
haversack  so  as  to  expose  its  contents ;  folds  up  carrier  to 
uncover  cartridge  pockets ;  opens  same ;  unrolls  toilet 
articles  and  places  them  on  the  outer  flap  of  haver- 
sack; places  underwear  carried  in  pack  on  the  left  half 
of  the  open  pack,  with  round  fold  parallel  with  front 
edge  of  pack;  opens  first  aid  pouch  and  exposes  contents 
to  view.  Special  articles  carried  by  individual  men,  such 
as  flag  kit,  field-glasses,  compass,  steel  tape,  notebook, 
etc.,  will  be  arranged  on  the  right  half  of  the  open  pack. 
Each  man  then  resumes  the  attention.  The  captain 
then  passes  along  ranks  and  file  closers  as  before,  in- 
spects the  equipment,  returns  to  the  right,  and  com- 
mands: CLOSE  PACKS.  Each  man  rolls  up  his 
toilet  articles  and  underwear,  straps  up  his  haversack 
and  its  contents,  replaces  the  meat  can,  knife,  fork  and 
spoon,  and  the  canteen  and  cup ;  closes  cartridge  pock- 
ets and  first  aid  pouch ;  restores  special  articles  to  their 
proper  receptacles;  rolls  up  and  replaces  pack  in  car- 
rier; and,  leaving  the  equipment  in  its  position  on  the 
ground,  resumes  the  attention.  All  equipments  being 
packed,  captain  commands:  SLING  EQUIPMENT. 
Equipments  are  slung  and  belts  fastened.  Captain 
then  causes  company  to  assemble  and  take  arms.  The 
inspection  is  completed  as  already  explained. 


64  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

FOR  TROOPS  WITH  SHELTER  HALF  ROLLS 

INSTEAD    OF   INFANTRY    EQUIPMENT, 

MODEL  1910,  substitute  the  following: 

747.  If  inspection  is  to  include  an  examination  of 
blanket  rolls  captain,  before  dismissing  company  and 
after  inspecting  the  file  closers,  directs  lieutenants  to 
remain  in  place,  closes  ranks,  stacks  arms,  dresses  com- 
pany, back  to  4  paces  from  the  stacks,  takes  intervals, 
and  commands:  1.  Unsling,  2.  PACKS,  3.  Open,  4. 
PACKS.  At  second  command  each  man  unslings  his 
roll  and  places  it  on  ground  at  his  feet,  rounded  end  to 
front,  square  end  of  shelter  half  to  his  right.  At  fourth 
command  the  rolls  are  untied,  laid  perpendicular  to 
the  front  with  the  triangular  end  of  the  shelter  half  to 
the  front,  opened,  and  unrolled  to  the  left;  each  man 
prepares  the  contents  of  his  roll  for  inspection  and  re- 
sumes the  attention.  Captain  then  returns  saber, 
passes  along  the  ranks  and  file  closers  as  before,  in- 
spects the  rolls,  returns  to  the  right,  draws  saber  and 
commands:  1.  Close,  2.  PACKS.  At  second  command 
each  man,  with  his  shelter  half  smoothly  spread  on  the 
ground  with  buttons  up  and  triangular  end  to  the 
front,  folds  his  blanket  once  across  its  length  and  places 
it  upon  the  shelter  half,  fold  toward  the  bottom,  edge 
one-half  inch  from  square  end,  the  same  amount  of 
canvas  uncovered  at  the  top  and  bottom.  He  then 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  65 

places  the  parts  of  the  pole  on  the  side  of  the  blanket 
next  the  square  end  of  shelter  half,  near  and  parallel 
to  the  fold,  end  of  pole  about  6  inches  from  edge  of 
blanket  and  distributes  the  other  articles  carried  in  the 
roll ;  folds  triangular  end  and  then  the  exposed  portion 
of  the  bottom  of  the  shelter  half  over  the  blanket.  The 
2  men  in  each  file  roll  and  fasten  first  the  roll  of  the 
front  and  then  of  the  rear-rank  man.  File  closers  work 
similarly  2  and  2,  or  with  the  front-rank  men  of  a 
blank  file.  Each  pair  stands  on  the  folded  side,  rolls 
the  blanket  roll  closely  and  buckles  the  straps,  pass- 
ing the  end  of  the  strap  through  both  keeper  and 
buckle,  back  over  the  buckle  and  under  the  keeper. 
With  the  roll  so  lying  on  the  ground  that  the  edge  of 
the  shelter  half  can  just  be  seen  when  looking  vertic- 
ally downward  one  end  is  bent  upward  and  over  to 
meet  the  other,  a  clove  hitch  is  taken  with  the  guy 
rope  first  around  the  end  to  which  it  is  attached  and 
then  around  the  other  end,  adjusting  the  length  of  rope 
between  hitches  to  suit  the  wearer.  As  soon  as  a  file 
completes  its  rolls  each  man  places  his  roll  in  the 
position  it  was  in  after  being  unslung  and  stands  at 
attention.  All  the  rolls  being  completed,  captain  com- 
mands: 1.  Sling,  2.  PACKS.  At  second  command  rolls 
are  slung,  the  end  containing  the  pole  to  the  rear.  The 
company  is  assembled,  takes  arms,  and  captain  com- 
pletes inspection  as  before. 
5 


66  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

Shelter  Tent  Pitching 

792.  Being  in  line  or  in  column  of  platoons,  captain 
commands:  FORM  FOR  SHELTER  TENTS.     Offi- 
cers, first  sergeant,  and  guides  fall  out;  cooks  form  a 
file  on  flank  of  company  nearest  the  kitchen,  the  first 
sergeant  and  right  guide  fall  in,  forming  the  right  file 
of  company;  blank  files  are  filled  by  file  closers  or  by 
men  taken  from  front  rank ;  remaining  guide,  or  guides 
and  file  closers  form  on  a  convenient  flank.     Before 
forming  column  of  platoons,  preparatory  to  pitching 
tents,  company  may  be  redivided  into  2  or  more  pla- 
toons, regardless  of  size  of  each. 

793.  Captain  then  causes  company  to  take  intervals 
as  described  in  School  of  the  Squad  and  commands : 
PITCH  TENTS.    At  command  pitch  tents,  each  man 
steps  off  obliquely  to  right  with  right  foot  and  lays 
his  rifle  on  the  ground,  the  butt  of  rifle  near  the  toe  of 
right  foot,  muzzle  to  the  front,  barrel  to  the  left,  and 
steps  back  into  his  place ;  each  front-rank  man  then 
draws  his  bayonet  and  sticks  it  in  the  ground  by  the 
outside  of  the  right  heel.     Equipments  are  unslung, 
packs  opened,  shelter  half  and  pins  removed ;  each  man 
then   spreads  his   shelter  half,   small  triangle  to   the 
rear,  flat  upon  the  ground  the  tent  is  to  occupy,  the 
rear-rank  man's  half  on  the  right.    The  halves  are  then 
buttoned  together;  the  guy  loops  at  both  ends  of  the 
lower  half  are  passed  through  buttonholes  provided  in 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  67 

lower  and  upper  halves;  the  whipped  end  of  the  guy 
rope  is  then  passed  through  both  guy  loops  and  secured, 
this  at  both  ends  of  the  tent.  Each  front-rank  man  in- 
serts the  muzzle  of  his  rifle  under  the  front  end  of  the 
ridge  and  holds  the  rifle  upright,  sling  to  the  front, 
heel  of  butt  on  the  ground  beside  the  bayonet.  His 
rear-rank  man  pins  down  the  front  corners  of  the  tent 
on  the  line  of  bayonets,  stretching  the  tent  taut;  he 
then  inserts  a  pin  in  the  eye  of  the  front  guy  rope  and 
drives  the  pin  at  such  a  distance  in  front  of  the  rifle  as 
to  hold  the  rope  taut;  both  men  go  to  the  rear  of  the 
tent,  each  pins  down  a  corner,  stretching  the  sides  and 
rear  of  the  tent  before  securing;  the  rear-rank  man  then 
inserts  an  intrenching  tool,  or  a  bayonet  in  its  scab- 
bard, under  the  rear  end  of  the  ridge  inside  the  tent, 
the  front-rank  man  pegging  down  the  end  of  the  rear 
guy  ropes ;  the  rest  of  the  pins  are  then  driven  by  both 
men,  the  rear-rank  man  working  on  the  right.  The 
front  flaps  of  the  tent  are  fastened  down,  but  thrown 
back  on  the  tent.  As  soon  as  the  tent  is  pitched  each 
man  arranges  his  equipment  and  the  contents  of  his 
pack  in  the  tent  and  stands  at  attention  in  front  of  his 
own  half  on  the  line  with  the  front  guy-rope  pin.  To 
have  a  uniform  slope  when  the  tents  are  pitched,  the  guy 
ropes  should  all  be  of  the  same  length.  In  shelter-tent 
camps,  in  localities  where  suitable  material  is  procur- 
able, tent  poles  may  be  improvised  and  used  in  lieu  of 


68  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

the  rifle  and  bayonet  or  intrenching  tool  as  supports 
for  the  shelter  tent. 

794.  When  the  pack  is  not  carried  the  company  is 
formed  for  shelter  tents,  intervals  are  taken,  arms  are 
laid  aside  or  on  the  ground,  the  men  are  dismissed  and 
proceed  to  the  wagon,  secure  their  packs,  return  to 
their  places,  and  pitch  tents  as  heretofore  described. 

795.  Double  shelter  tents  may  be  pitched  by  first 
pitching  one  tent  as  heretofore  described,  then  pitch- 
ing a  second  tent  against  the  opening  of  the  first,  using 
one  rifle  to  support  both  tents,  and  passing  the  front 
guy  ropes  over  and  down  the  sides  of  the  opposite  tents. 
The  front  corner  of  one  tent  is  not  pegged  down,  but 
is  thrown  back  to  permit  an  opening  into  the  tent. 

Single  Sleeping-Bag 

796.  Spread  the  poncho  on  the  ground,  buttoned  end 
at  the  feet,  buttoned  side  to  the  left;  fold  the  blanket 
once   across  its  short   dimension   and   lay   it   on  the 
poncho,  folded  side  along  the  right  side  of  the  poncho ; 
tie  the  blanket  together  along  the  left  side  by  means 
of  the  tapes  provided ;  fold  the  left  half  of  the  poncho 
over  the  blanket  and  button  it  together  along  the  side 
and  bottom. 

Double  Sleeping-Bag 

797.  Spread  one  poncho  on  the  ground,  buttoned  end 
at  the  feet,  buttoned  side  to  the  left;  spread  the  blank- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  69 

ets  on  top  of  the  poncho ;  tie  the  edges  of  the  blankets 
together  with  the  tapes  provided,  spread  a  second  pon- 
cho on  top  of  the  blankets,  buttoned  end  at  the  feet, 
buttoned  side  to  the  right;  button  the  two  ponchos 
together  along  both  sides  and  across  the  end. 

798.  To  strike  Shelter  Tents,  The  men  standing  in 
front  of  their  tents:  STRIKE  TENTS.  Equipments 
and  rifles  are  removed  from  the  tent ;  the  tents  are  low- 
ered, packs  made  up,  and  equipments  slung,  and  the 
men  stand  at  attention  in  the  places  originally  occu- 
pied after  taking  intervals. 

Shelter  Tent  Pitching  for  Troops  With  Equipment  of 
Shelter  Half  Rolls  Instead  of  Model  1910 

792.  Same  as  792  above. 

793.  Same  as  793  above,  as  far  as  period  in  seventh 
line.    For  remainder  of  paragraph  substitute  following : 

All  unsling  and  open  the  blanket  rolls  and  take  out 
shelter  half,  poles  and  pins.  Each  then  spreads  his 
shelter  half,  triangle  to  the  rear,  flat  upon  the  ground 
the  tent  is  to  occupy,  rear-rank  man's  half  on  the  right. 
The  halves  are  then  buttoned  together.  Each  front- 
rank  man  joins  his  pole,  inserts  the  top  in  the  eyes  of 
the  halves,  and  holds  the  pole  upright  beside  the  bayo- 
net placed  in  the  ground;  his  rear-rank  man,  using 
the  pins  in  front,  pins  down  the  front  corners  of  the 
tent  on  the  line  of  bayonets,  stretching  the  canvas  taut ; 
he  then  inserts  a  pin  in  the  eye  of  the  rope  and  drives 


70  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

the  pin  at  such  distance  in  front  of  the  pole  as  to  hold 
the  rope  taut.  Both  men  then  go  to  the  rear  of  the  tent ; 
the  rear-rank  man  adjusts  the  pole  and  the  front-rank 
man  drives  the  pins.  The  rest  of  the  pins  are  then 
driven  by  both  men,  the  rear-rank  man  working  on  the 
right.  As  soon  as  the  tent  is  pitched  each  man  arranges 
the  contents  of  his  blanket  roll  in  the  tent  and  stands 
at  attention  in  front  of  his  own  half  on  line  with  the 
front  guy-rope  pin.  The  guy  ropes,  to  have  a  uniform 
slope  when  the  shelter  tents  are  pitched,  should  all  be 
of  the  same  length. 

794.  When  the  blanket  roll  is  not  carried,  intervals 
are  taken  as  described  above ;  the  position  of  the  front 
pole  is  marked  with  a  bayonet  and  equipments  are 
laid  aside.    The  men  then  proceed  to  the  wagon,  se- 
cure rolls,  return  to  their  places,  and  pitch  tents  as 
heretofore  described. 

795.  To  pitch  double  shelter  tent,  captain  gives  same 
command  as  before,  except  Take  half  interval  is  given 
instead  of  Take  interval.    In  taking  interval  each  man 
follows  the  preceding  man  at  2  paces.     Captain  then 
commands:  PITCH  DOUBLE  TENTS.      The    first 
sergeant  places  himself  on  the  right  of  the  right  guide 
and  with  him,  pitches  a  single  shelter  tent.     Only  the 
odd  numbers  of  the  front  rank  mark  the  line  with  the 
bayonet.    The  tent  is  formed  by  buttoning  together  the 
square  ends  of  2  single  tents.     Two  complete  tents, 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  71 

except  one  pole,  are  used.  Two  guy  ropes  are  used  at 
each  end,  the  guy  pins  being  placed  in  front  of  the  cor- 
ner pins.  The  tents  are  pitched  by  Nos.  1  and  2,  front 
and  rear  rank;  and  by  Nos.  3  and  4,  front  and  rear 
rank;  the  men  falling  in  on  the  left  are  numbered, 
counting  off  if  necessary.  All  the  men  spread  their 
shelter  halves  on  the  ground  the  tent  is  to  occupy. 
Those  of  the  front  rank  are  placed  with  the  triangular 
ends  to  the  front.  All  4  halves  are  then  buttoned 
together,  first  the  ridges  and  then  the  square  ends. 
The  front  corners  of  the  tent  are  pinned  by  the 
front-rank  men,  the  odd  number  holding  the  poles, 
the  even  number  driving  the  pins.  The  rear- 
rank  men  similarly  pin  the  rear  corners.  While  the 
odd  numbers  steady  the  poles,  each  even  number  of 
the  front  rank  takes  his  pole  and  enters  the  tent,  where, 
assisted  by  the  even  number  of  the  rear  rank,  he  ad- 
justs the  pole  to  the  center  eyes  of  the  shelter  halves 
in  the  following  order: 

(1)  The  lower  half  of  the  front  tent;  (2)  the  lower 
half  of  the  rear  tent;  (3)  the  upper  half  of  the  front 
tent;  (4)  the  upper  half  of  the  rear  tent.  The  guy 
ropes  are  then  adjusted.  The  tents  having  been  pitched, 
the  triangular  ends  are  turned  back,  contents  of  the 
rolls  arranged,  and  the  men  stand  at  attention,  each 
opposite  his  own  shelter  half  and  facing  out  from,  the 
tent. 


72  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

Tactical  Arm  Signals 

43.  "  Infantry  Drill  Regulations,  1911."  The  follow- 
ing arm  signals  are  prescribed.  In  making  signals 
either  arm  may  be  used.  Officers  who  receive  signals 
on  the  firing  line  "  repeat  back"  at  once  to  prevent  mis- 
understanding. 

Forward,  march.  Carry  the  hand  to  the  shoulder; 
straighten  and  hold  arm  horizontally,  thrusting  it  in 
direction  of  march.  This  signal  also  used  to  execute 
quick  time  from  double  time. 

Halt.  Carry  hand  to  shoulder;  thrust  hand  upward 
and  hold  arm  vertically. 

Double  time,  march.  Carry  hand  to  shoulder;  rap- 
idly thrust  hand  upward  the  full  extent  of  arm  several 
times. 

Squads  right,  march.  Raise  arm  laterally  until  hori- 
zontal; carry  it  to  a  vertical  position  above  head  and 
swing  it  several  times  between  vertical  and  horizontal 
positions. 

Squads  left,  march.  Raise  arm  laterally  until  hori- 
zontal ;  carry  it  downward  to  the  side  and  swing  it 
several  times  between  the  downward  and  horizontal 
positions. 

Squads  right  about,  march  (if  in  close  order),  or 
To  the  rear,  march  (if  in  skirmish  line).  Extend  the 
arm  vertically  above  the  head ;  carry  it  laterally  down- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  73 

ward  to  the  side  and  swing  it  several  times  between 
vertical  and  downward  positions. 

Change  direction,  or  Column  right  (left),  march.  The 
hand  on  the  side  toward  which  the  change  of  direction 
is  to  be  made  is  carried  across  the  body  to  the  opposite 
shoulder,  forearm  horizontal ;  then  swing  in  horizontal 
plane,  arm  extended,  pointing  in  new  direction. 

As  skirmishers,  march.  Raise  both  arms  laterally 
until  horizontal. 

As  skirmishers,  guide  center,  march.  Raise  both 
arms  laterally  until  horizontal;  swing  both  simulta- 
neously upward  until  vertical  and  return  to  horizontal; 
repeat  several  times. 

As  skirmishers,  guide  right  (left),  march.  Raise  both 
arms  laterally  until  horizontal;  hold  arm  on  side  of 
the  guide  steadily  in  horizontal  position ;  swing  other 
upward  until  vertical  and  return  it  to  the  horizontal; 
repeat  several  times. 

Assemble,  march.  Raise  arm  vertically  to  its  full 
extent  and  describe  horizontal  circles. 

Range,  or  Change  Elevation.  To  announce  range, 
extend  arm  toward  the  leaders  or  men  for  whom  the 
signal  is  intended,  fist  closed ;  by  keeping  the  fist 
closed  battle  sight  is  indicated;  by  opening  and  closing 
the  fist,  expose  thumb  and  fingers  to  a  number  equal 
to  the  hundreds  of  yards ;  to  add  50  yards  describe  a  short 
horizontal  line  with  forefinger.  To  change  elevation, 
indicate  the  amount  of  increase  or  decrease  by  fingers 


74  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

as  above;  point  upward  to  indicate  increase  and  down- 
ward to  indicate  decrease.  (For  example,  to  indicate 
a  range  of  800  yards  open  the  hand  exposing  thumb 
and  all  fingers,  close  fist  and  again  open  exposing  thumb 
and  2  fingers.  To  add  50  yards,  making  850  yards, 
conclude  the  signal  by  making  a  short  horizontal  line 
with  the  forefinger.) 

What  range  are  you  using?  or  What  is  the  range? 
Extend  the  arms  toward  the  person  addressed,  one 
hand  open,  palm  to  the  front,  resting  on  the  other  hand, 
fist  closed. 

Are  you  ready?  or  I  am  ready.  Raise  hand,  fingers 
extended  and  joined,  palm  toward  person  addressed. 

Commence  firing.  Move  the  arm  extended  in  full 
length,  hand  pafm  down,  several  times  through  hori- 
zontal arc  in  front  of  body. 

Fire  faster.  Execute  rapidly  the  signal  "  Commence 
firing." 

Fire  slower.  Execute  slowly  the  signal  "  Commence 
firing." 

To  swing  the  cone  of  fire  to  the  right  or  left.  Extend 
arm  in  full  length  to  the  front,  palm  to  the  right  (left)  ; 
swing  arm  to  right  (left),  and  point  in  direction  of  new 
target. 

Fix  bayonet.  Simulate  movement  of  right  hand  in 
"  fix  bayonet." 

Suspend  firing.    Raise  and  hold  forearm  steadily  in 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  75 

horizontal  position  in  front  of  forehead,  palm  of  hand 
to  the  front. 

Cease  firing.  Raise  forearm  as  in  suspend  firing  and 
swing  it  up  and  down  several  times  in  front  of  face. 

Platoon.  Extend  the  arm  horizontally  toward  the 
platoon  leader;  describe  small  circles  with  the  hand. 
(See  Par.  44.) 

Squad.  Extend  the  arm  horizontally  toward  pla- 
toon leader;  swing  hand  up  and  down  from  the  wrist. 
(See  Par.  44.) 

Rush.    Same  as  double  time. 

44.  Signals  platoon  and  squad  are  intended  primarily 
for  communication  between  captain  and  his  platoon 
leaders.  Signal  platoon  or  squad  indicates  that  the 
platoon  commander  is  to  cause  the  signal  which  fol- 
lows to  be  executed  by  platoon  or  squad. 

XXVI.     EXTRACTS  FROM  "  SMALL  ARMS 
FIRING  MANUAL,  1913  " 

As  the  rifle  is  the  soldier's  best  friend  he  must  culti- 
vate its  acquaintance  assiduously.  He  first  gains  an 
intimate  acquaintance  with  all  its  parts  and  their  uses 
which  acquaintance  will  be  gained  in  part  as  explained 
in  Section  XXII,  above,  and  in  part  in  Nomenclature 
of  the  Rifle  Drills.  He  will  then  learn  the  use  of  the 
rifle  with  its  bayonet  so  that  his  first  instinct  will  be 
to  use  the  bayonet  if  in  close  quarters,  as  it  is  said  the 
Boche  has  great  fear  of  cold  steel.  Then  he  will  learn 


76  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

to  use  the  rifle  as  a  firing  weapon.  That  training  is 
had  in  three  principal  stages:  (1)  Learning  how  to 
use  the  sights;  (2)  developing  the  muscles  that  are 
used  in  holding  the  rifle  steady;  (3)  actually  firing 
the  rifle.  It  is  wasting  ammunition  to -attempt  to  shoot 
before  the  first  two  stages  have  been  covered  thor- 
oughly. This  proposition  cannot  be  stated  too  emphat- 
ically to  represent  the  truth.  If  you  would  be  a  good 
shot  and  if  you  would  qualify  on  the  Range,  give  a 
great  deal  of  attention  to  the  following  described  exer- 
cises :  Do  not  be  content  merely  with  being  attentive 
at  the  regular  instruction  and  drills  but  daily  practice 
the  Position  and  Aiming  Drills  or  Exercises  by  your- 
self. Everyone  knows  that  in  order  to  play  a  game 
well  one  must  keep  one's  "  hand  in  " ;  that  is  to  say,  one 
must  keep  exercising  the  particular  muscles  one  uses 
in  that  game.  If  one  "  lays  off  "  from  playing  a  game 
for  a  considerable  time  one  gets  out  of  practice;  that 
is,  one  loses  control  of  those  muscles  used  in  that  par- 
ticular game.  For  example:  If  a  baseball  pitcher 
stops  playing  ball  for  a  time,  and,  say,  does  even  heavy 
work  that  employs  his  muscles,  he  will  not  pitch  a 
good  game  when  he  first  comes  back  because  he  has 
not  been  using  the  special  muscles  one  uses  in  pitching 
in  the  same  way  that  one  uses  them  in  pitching.  The 
same  is  true  of  tennis  and  other  muscular  games.  And 
the  same  is  true  of  shooting.  One  must  keep  practis- 
ing holding  the  rifle  on  the  mark  and  steadily.  The 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  77 

following  paragraphs  have  the  numbers  as  they  appear 
in  the  "  Small  Arms  Firing  Manual  " : 

Sighting  Drills 

15.  Purpose:    (1)  To  show  how  to  align  the  sights 
properly  on  the  mark.     (2)  To  discover  and  demon- 
strate errors  in  sighting.     (3)  To  teach  uniformity  in 
sighting. 

16.  Apparatus  and  its  use.     Sighting  Bar.     To  con- 
sist of:  (a)  A  bar  of  wood  about  1  by  2  inches  by  4 
feet,  with  a  thin  slot  1  inch  deep  cut  across  the  edge 
about  20  inches  from  one  end.     (b)  A  front  sight  of  tin 
or  cardboard  one-half  by  3  inches  tacked  to  the  end 
nearer  the  slot  and  projecting  1  inch  above  bar.     (c) 
An  eyepiece  of  tin  or  cardboard  1  by  3  inches  tacked  to 
the    other    end    of,  and    projecting  1  inch  above,  the 
bar,  with  a  very  small  hole  (0.03  inch)  one-half  inch 
from  top  of  part  projecting  above  the  bar.    (d)  An  open 
rear  sight  of  tin  or  cardboard  1.5  by  3  inches,  with  a 
U-shaped  notch  0.75  inch  wide  cut  in  the  middle  of  one 
of  the  long  edges.     This  is  placed  in  the  slot  on  the 
bar.    A  slight  bend  of  the  part  of  the  tin  fitting  in  the 
slot  will  give  enough  friction  to  hold  the  sight  in  any 
part  of  slot  in  which  it  is  placed.     (<?)  A  peep  rear 
sight  of  tin  or  cardboard  3  by  3  inches,  with  a  peep- 
hole 0.75  inch  in  diameter  cut  in  the  center.    This  re- 
places the  open  sight  when  the  peep  sight  is  shown. 
Carefully  blacken  all  pieces  of  tin  or  cardboard  and  the 


78  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

top  of  the  bar.  Nail  the  bar  to  a  box  about  1  foot  high 
and  place  on  the  ground,  table,  or  other  suitable  place. 
Then  adjust  the  open  or  peep  rear  sight  in  the  slot  and 
direct  the  bar  upon  a  bull's-eye  (preferably  a  Y  target) 
placed  about  5  yards  from  the  bar.  No  other  than  the 
sight  desired  can  be  seen.  Errors,  etc.,  are  shown  by 
manipulating  the  open  and  peep  rear  sights. 

17.  Sighting  Rest  for  Rifle.  Take  an  empty  pistol 
ammunition  box  or  a  similar  well-made  box,  remove 
the  top  and  cut  notches  in  the  ends  to  fit  the  rifle 
closely.  Place  the  rifle  in  these  notches  with  the  trig- 
ger guard  close  to  and  outside  one  end.  (The  stock 
may  be  removed  from  the  rifle  so  as  to  bring  the  eye 
as  near  the  rear  sight  as  in  shooting.)  Nail  a  plank 
(top  of  box  will  do)  to  a  stake  or  wall  about  12  inches 
from  the  ground.  Fasten  a  blank  sheet  of  paper  to 
the  plank.  Place  the  rest  firmly  on  the  ground  20  or 
30  feet  from  the  plank,  so  that  the  rifle  is  canted  neither 
to  the  right  nor  left — weight  the  box  with  sand  if  nec- 
essary— and  without  touching  the  rifle  or  rest,  sight 
the  rifle  near  the  center  of  the  blank  sheet  of  paper. 
Changes  in  the  line  of  sight  are  made  by  changing  the 
elevation  and  windage.  Take  the  prone  position  with 
elbows  on  the  ground,  hands  supporting  the  head.  A 
soldier  acting  as  marker  is  provided  with  a  pencil  and 
a  small  rod  bearing  a  disk  of  white  cardboard  about  3 
inches  in  diameter,  with  a  black  bull's-eye  (a  black 
paster  is  best)  pierced  in  the  center  with  a  hole  just 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  79 

large  enough  to  admit  the  point  of  a  lead  pencil.  The 
soldier  sighting  directs  the  marker  to  move  the  disk 
to  the  right,  left,  higher,  or  lower,  until  the  line  of  aim 
is  established,  when  he  commands  "  Mark  "  or  "  Hold." 
At  command  Mark,  being  careful  not  to  move  the  disk, 
the  marker  records  through  the  hole  in  its  center  the 
position  of  the  disk  and  then  withdraws  it.  At  com- 
mand Hold  the  marker  holds  the  disk  carefully  in 
place  without  marking  until  the  position  is  verified  by 
instructor,  and  the  disk  is  not  withdrawn  until  so 
directed. 

18.  Line  of  Sight.    With  the  open  sight  the  line  of 
sight  is  determined  by  a  point  on  the  middle  line  of  the 
notch  of  the  rear  sight  and  the  top  of  the  front  sight. 
With  the  peep  sight,  the  line  of  sight  is  determined  by 
the  center  of  the  peep  and  the  top  of  the  front  sight. 

19.  Point  of  Aim.    The  soldier  will  be  informed  that 
to  give  the  greatest  uniformity  a  point  just  below  the 
mark,  and  not  the  mark,  is  taken  as  the  point  of  aim, 
as  it  is  impossible  always  to  know,  if  touching  the 
mark  with  the  top  of  the  front  sight,  how  much  of  the 
front  sight  is  seen ;  that  the  term  "  on  the  mark  "  or 
bull's-eye  will  be  understood  to  mean  an  aim,  taken 
just  below  the  mark,  showing  a  fine  line  of  light  be- 
tween the  mark  and  the  top  of  the  front  sight. 

20.  The  Normal  Sight.    Look  through  the  rear  sight 
notch  at  the  bull's-eye  or  mark  and  bring  the  top  of 
the  front  sight  on  a  line  with  the  top  of  and  in  the 


80  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

center  of  the  rear  sight  notch  and  aligned  upon  the 
point  of  aim. 

21.  The  Peep  Sight.  Look  through  the  peep-hole  at 
the  bull's-eye  or  mark  and  bring  the  top  of  the  front 
sight  to  the  center  of  the  aperture  and  aligned  upon 
the  point  of  aim.  The  soldier  should  be  informed 
that  regular  results  in  firing  can  be  obtained  only  when 
the  same  amount  of  front  sight  is  taken  each  time,  and 
that  this  can  be  done  only  by  using  the  normal  sight 
with  the  open  notch  or  the  peep  sight  in  the  manner 
described  above.  He  should  understand  that  the  effect 
of  taking  less  than  the  normal  amount  of  sight  is  to 
cause  a  point  lower  than  that  aimed  at  to  be  struck, 
and  that  taking  too  much  of  the  front  sight  causes  a 
higher  point  to  be  struck.  Although  men  will  be  found 
occasionally  who  can  get  excellent  results  by  using  the 
fine  sight,  the  average  man  can  not,  and  this  form  of 
sighting  is  not  recommended.  The  so-called  full  sight 
should  not  be  taught  under  any  circumstances.  If 
shown  to  the  men  at  all,  it  should  be  for  the  purpose 
of  pointing  out  a  fault  to  be  avoided. 

REMARKS  :  The  eye  can  be  focused  accurately  upon  ob- 
jects at  but  one  distance  at  a  time;  all  other  objects 
in  the  field  of  view  will  appear  more  or  less  blurred,  de- 
pending on  their  distance  from  the  eye.  This  can  be 
seen  if  a  pencil  is  placed  in  the  field  of  view  near  the 
eye  while  looking  at  some  distant  object.  The  pencil 
will  appear  blurred.  This  is  the  condition  met  with 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  81 

by  the  normal  eye  in  sighting  a  rifle.  If  the  eye  is 
focused  on  one  of  the  three  points — the  bull's-eye,  the 
front  sight,  or  the  rear  sight — the  other  two  will  appear 
blurred.  This  blurring  effect  is  best  overcome  by  using 
the  peep  sight,  as  though  looking  through  a  window, 
and  focusing  the  eye  on  the  bull's-eye.  The  blurring 
of  the  peep-hole  will  be  concentric,  giving  a  clear  and 
easily  defined  center.  The  blurring  of  the  front  sight 
will  be  less,  but  symmetrical  on  both  sides  with  very 
little  blur  on  the  top.  It  can  be  readily  and  naturally 
brought  to  the  center  of  the  peep-hole.  Variations  in 
light  have  less  effect  on  the  peep  than  on  the  open  sight. 
But  the  limited  field  of  view  and  the  lack  of  readiness 
in  getting  quick  aim  with  the  peep  sight  limit  its  use 
to  those  stages  of  the  combat  when  comparative  delib- 
eration will  be  possible.  In  the  later  stages  of  the 
battle  (especially  when  a  lapid  fire  is  to  be  delivered) 
the  open  sight  will,  in  most  cases,  be  used.  In  this 
case  the  normal  sight  should  be  used,  as  the  horizontal 
line  at  the  top  of  the  notch  of  the  rear  sight  affords 
a  good  guide  for  regularity.  Whatever  sight  is  used, 
the  eye  must  be  focused  on  the  bull's-eye  or  mark, 
not  on  the  front  or  rear  sight. 

22.  First  Sighting  Exercise.    Using  illustrations,  de- 
scribe the  normal  sight  and  the  peep  sight. 

23.  Using   the   sighting  bar,   represent   the  normal 
sight  and  the  peep  sight  and  require  each  man  in  the 
squad  to  look  at  them. 

6 


82  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

24.  Using  the  sighting  bar,  describe  and  represent 
the  usual  errors  of  sighting  and  require  each  man  in 
the  squad  to  look  at  them. 

25.  Second  Sighting  Exercise.     Using  the  sighting 
rest  for  the  rifle,  require  each  man  to  direct  the  marker 
to  move  the  disk  until  the  rifle  is  directed  on  the  bull's- 
eye  with  the  normal  sight  and  command  "  Hold."    The 
instructor  will  verify  this  line  of  sight.    Errors,  if  any, 
will  be  explained  to  the  soldier  and  another  trial  made. 
If  he  is  still  unable  to  sight  correctly,  the  first  exercise 
will  be  repeated.    Soldiers  sometimes  will  be  found  who 
do  not  know  how  to  place  the  eye  in  the  line  of  sight ; 
they  often  look  over  or  along  one  side  of  the  notch  of 
the  rear  sight  and  believe  that  they  are  aiming  through 
the  notch  because  they  see  it  at  the  same  time  that  they 
do  the  front  sight.    This  error  will  probably  be  made 
evident  by  the  preceding  exercise.    Some  men  in  sight- 
ing will  look  at  the  front  sight  and  not  at  the  object. 
As  this  often  occasions  a  blur,  which  prevents  the  ob- 
ject from  being  seen  distinctly  and  increases  both  the 
difficulties  and  inaccuracies  of  sighting,  it  should  be 
corrected. 

26.  Repeat  the  above,  using  the  peep  sight. 

27.  Third  Sighting  Exercise.      Using   the    sighting 
rest  for  the  rifle,  require  each  man  to  direct  the  marker 
to  move  the  disk  until  the  rifle  is  directed  on  the  bull's- 
eye  with  the   normal   sight   and   command   "  Mark " ; 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  83 

then,  being  careful  not  to  move  the  rifle  or  sights,  re- 
peat the  operation  until  3  marks  have  been  made. 

(a)  The  Triangle  of  Sighting. — Join  the  3  points  de- 
termined as  above  by  straight  lines,  mark  with  the  sol- 
dier's name,  and  call  his  attention  to  the  triangle  thus 
formed.  The  shape  and  size  of  this  triangle  will  indi- 
cate the  nature  of  the  variations  made  in  aiming. 

(&)  Abnormal  Shape ;  Causes. — If  the  triangle  is  ob- 
tuse angled,  with  its  sides  approaching  the  vertical, 
the  soldier  has  not  taken  a  uniform  amount  of  front 
sight.  If  the  sides  of  the  triangle  are  more  nearly  hori- 
zontal the  errors  were  probably  caused  by  not  looking 
through  the  middle  of  the  notch  or  not  over  the  top 
of  the  front  sight.  If  any  one  of  the  sides  of  the  tri- 
angle is  longer  than  half  an  inch,  the  instructor  directs 
the  exercise  repeated,  verifying  each  sight  and  calling 
the  soldier's  attention  to  his  errors.  The  instructor 
will  explain  that  the  sighting  gains  in  regularity  as  the 
triangle  becomes  smaller. 

(c)  Verifying  the  Triangle. — If  the  sides  of  the  tri- 
angle are  so  small  as  to  indicate  regularity  in  sighting,  the 
instructor  will  mark  the  center  of  the  triangle  and 
then  place  the  center  of  the  bull's-eye  on  this  mark. 
The  instructor  will  then  examine  the  position  of  the 
bull's-eye  with  reference  to  the  line  of  sight.  If  the 
bull's-eye  is  properly  placed  with  reference  to  the  line 
of  sight,  the  soldier  aims  correctly  and  with  uniformity. 


84  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

If  not  so  placed,  he  aims  in  a  regular  manner  but  with 
a  constant  error. 

(d)  Causes  of  Errors. — If  the  bull's-eye  is  directly 
above  its  proper  position,  the  soldier  has  taken  in  aim- 
ing too  little  front  sight,  or  if  directly  below,  too  much 
front  sight.  If  directly  to  the  right  or  left,  the  soldier 
has  not  sighted  through  the  center  of  the  rear-sight 
notch  and  over  the  top  of  the  front  sight.  If  to  the 
right,  he  has  probably  either  sighted  along  the  left 
of  the  rear-sight  notch  or  the  right  side  of  the  front 
sight,  or  has  committed  both  of  these  errors.  If  the 
bull's-eye  is  too  far  to  the  left,  he  has  probably  sighted 
along  the  right  of  the  rear-sight  notch  or  to  the  left 
of  the  front  sight,  or  has  combined  these  errors.  If 
the  bull's-eye  is  placed  with  reference  to  its  proper 
position  diagonally  above  and  to  the  right,  the  soldier 
has  probably  combined  the  errors  which  placed  it  too 
high  and  too  far  to  the  right.  Any  other  diagonal  posi- 
tion would  be  produced  by  a  similar  combination  of 
vertical  and  horizontal  errors. 

As  the  errors  thus  shown  are  committed  when  the 
rifle  is  fixed  in  position,  while  that  of  the  bull's-eye 
or  target  is  altered,  the  effect  will  be  directly  opposite 
to  the  changes  in  location  of  a  hit  in  the  actual  fire, 
occasioned  by  the  same  errors,  when  the  target  will  be 
fixed  and  the  rifle  moved  in  aiming.  After  the  above 
instruction  has  been  given  to  one  man,  the  line  of  sight 
will  be  slightly  changed  by  moving  the  sighting  rest 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  85 

or  by  changing  the  elevation  and  windage,  and  the 
exercises  similarly  repeated  with  the  other  men  of  the 
squad. 

28.  Repeat  the  third  sighting  exercise  using  the  peep 
sight. 

29.  Fourth  Sighting  Exercise.     This  exercise  is  a 
demonstration  of  the  effect  of  canting  the  piece.    The 
soldier  must  be  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  keep- 
ing the  sights  vertical  when  aiming,  and  not  canting 
the  piece  to  the  right  or  left.     Explain  to  the  soldier 
that  if  the  piece  is  canted  to  the  right,  the  bullet  will 
strike  to  the  right  and  below  the  point  aimed  at,  even 
though  the  rifle  be  otherwise  correctly  aimed  and  the 
sights  correctly  set.     Similarly,  if  the  piece  is  canted 
to  the  left,  the  bullet  will  strike  to  the  left  and  low. 
This  can  be  explained  by  showing  that  the  elevation 
fixes  the  height  of  the  point  where  the  bullet  will  hit 
the  target,  and  that  the  windage  fixes  the  point  to  the 
right  or  left ;  i.e.,  the  elevation  gives  vertical  effects  and 
the  windage  horizontal  effects.     Let  a  pencil  (or  rod) 
held  vertical  represent  the  elevation ;  now  if  the  pencil 
is  turned  to  the  right  90  degrees,  or  horizontal,  all  the 
elevation  has  been  taken  off,  causing  the  shot  to  strike 
to  the  right. 

30.  This  effect  may  be  demonstrated  as  follows :  Use 
the  sighting  rest  with  the  rifle  firmly  held  in  the  notches, 
the  bolt  removed.    Paste  a  black  paster  near  the  center 
of  the  bottom  line  of  the  target.    Sight  the  rifle  on  this 


86  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

mark,  using  about  2000  yards  elevation,  then,  being 
careful  not  to  move  the  rifle,  look  through  the  bore 
and  direct  the  marker  to  move  the  disk  until  the  bull's- 
eye  is  in  the  center  of  the  field  of  view  and  command 
"  Mark."  Next  turn  the  rest  with  the  rifle  on  its  side, 
and  with  the  same  elevation  sight  on  the  same  paster 
as  above,  then,  being  careful  not  to  move  the  rifle, 
look  through  the  bore  and  again  direct  the  marker  to  move 
the  disk  until  the  bull's-eye  is  in  the  center  of  the  field 
of  view  and  command  "  Mark."  Not  considering  the 
fall  of  the  bullet,  the  first  mark  represents  the  point 
struck  with  the  sight  vertical,  the  second  mark  repre- 
sents the  point  struck,  low  and  to  the  right,  using  the 
same  elevation  and  the  same  point  of  aim,  when  the 
piece  is  canted  90  degrees  to  the  right.  Different  de- 
grees of  canting  the  piece  can  be  represented  by  draw- 
ing an  arc  of  a  circle  through  the  2  marks  with  the 
paster  as  a  center.  The  second  mark  will  be  at  a  point 
on  this  arc  corresponding  to  the  degree  of  canting  the 
piece.  Emphasis  will  be  laid  on  the  fact  that  this  ef- 
fect of  canting  increases  with  the  distance  from  the 
target. 

31.  Other  Exercises.  If  time  permits,  the  instructor 
may  devise  other  exercises  which  suggest  themselves 
as  useful  and  beneficial  to  his  men.  The  following  are 
examples : 

(a)  In  strong  sunlight  make  a  triangle  of  sighting, 
using  a  rifle  having  sights  worn  bright.  Then,  being 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  87 

careful  not  to  move  the  rifle,  blacken  the  sights  and  make 
another  triangle.  Use  dotted  lines  for  the  triangle  made 
with  bright  sights  and  full  lines  for  the  triangle  made 
with  blackened  sights.  The  position  and  size  of  the  2 
triangles  will  plainly  show  the  advantage  of  the  black- 
ened sights. 

(b)  In  strong  sunlight  make  a  triangle  of  sighting; 
then,  being  careful  not  to  move  the  rifle,  make  another 
triangle,  having  first  shaded  the  target  and  the  man  sight- 
ing. The  relative  position  of  the  triangles  will  show  the 
importance  of  knowing  the  effects  of  varying  degrees 
of  light. 

Position  and  Aiming  Drills 

32.  Purpose. — To  educate  muscles  of  arm  and  body 
so  that  the  piece,  in  the  act  of  aiming,  shall  be  held  with- 
out restraint,  and  during  the  operation  of  firing  shall 
not  be  deflected  from  the  tangent  by  any  convulsive  or 
improper  movement  of  the  trigger  finger  or  of  the  body, 
arms  or  hands.  They  also  establish  between  the  hand 
and  eye  such  prompt  and  intimate  connection  as  will 
insure  that  the  finger  shall  act  upon  the  trigger,  giving 
the  final  pressure  at  the  exact  moment  when  the  top 
of  the  front  sight  is  seen  to  be  directed  upon  the 
mark.  The  fact,  though  simple,  cannot  be  too  strongly 
impressed  upon  the  recruit  that  if,  at  the  moment  of 
discharge,  the  piece  is  properly  supported  and  correctly 
aimed,  the  mark  surely  will  be  hit.  Since  any  intelli- 


88  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

gent  man  can  be  taught  to  aim  correctly  and  to  hold 
the  sights  aligned  upon  the  mark  with  a  fair  amount 
of  steadiness,  it  follows  that  bad  shooting  must  neces- 
sarily arise  from  causes  other  than  bad  aiming.  The 
chief  of  these  causes  is  known  to  be  the  deflection  given  to 
the  rifle  when  it  is  discharged,  due  to  the  fact  that 
the  soldier,  at  the  moment  of  firing,  instead  of  squeez- 
ing the  trigger,  jerks  it.  This  convulsive  action  is  largely 
due  to  lack  of  familiarity  with  the  methods  of  firing 
and  to  a  constrained  position  of  the  muscles  of  the 
body,  arm  and  hands,  which  constrained  position  it  is 
the  purpose  of  the  Position  and  Aiming  drills  to  correct. 
To  become  a  good  shot,  constant,  careful,  and  patient 
practice  is  required.  Systematic  aiming  and  squeez- 
ing the  trigger  will  do  much  to  make  a  rifleman.  The 
men  will  be  taught  to  take  advantage  of  every  oppor- 
tunity for  practising  aiming,  and  squeezing  the  trigger. 
For  this  purpose  the  barracks  should  be  furnished 
with  aiming  targets,  which  the  men  will  be  encouraged 
to  use  at  odd  moments,  as  when  waiting  for  a  forma- 
tion or  during  a  rest.  At  drill  the  soldier  will  be  cau- 
tioned never  to  squeeze  the  trigger  without  selecting 
an  object  and  taking  careful  aim.  When  on  the  range 
waiting  for  his  turn  to  fire,  the  soldier  should  use  part 
of  his  time  in  position  and  aiming  exercises,  aiming  at 
the  target  or  at  objects  outside  the  range,  and  he  should 
be  made  to  understand  that  this  practice  previous  to 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  89 

firing  will  tend  to  prevent  nervousness  and  will  have 
a  marked  effect  upon  his  score. 

34.  DRILLS;  GENERAL  INSTRUCTIONS.— 
These  drills  are  divided  into  4  progressive  exercises. 
The  first  exercise  teaches  the  position;  second  exer- 
cise teaches  the  position  and  the  aim;  third  exercise 
teaches  aim  and  manner  of  squeezing  the  trigger; 
fourth  exercise  teaches  the  methods  of  rapid  fire.  The 
exercises  should  be  taught  by  the  numbers  first ;  when 
fully  understood,  without  numbers.  To  correct  any 
tendency  to  cant  the  piece,  the  rear  sight  will  be 
raised.  A  black  paster  at  which  to  aim  will  be  placed 
on  the  wall  opposite  each  man.  The  squad  being 
formed  in  single  rank,  with  an  interval  of  1  yard  be- 
tween files,  the  instructor  directs  the  men  to  take  posi- 
tion of  Ready,  except  that  the  position  of  the  feet  will 
be  such  as  to  insure  the  greatest  firmness  and  steadi- 
ness to  the  body.  The  instructor  then  cautions  Posi- 
tion and  Aiming  Drill.  The  exercise  being  taught 
should  be  repeated  frequently  and  made  continuous. 
The  instructor  prefaces  the  preparatory  command  by 
Continue  the  motion  or  At  will,  and  gives  the  command 
Halt  at  the  conclusion  of  the  exercise,  when  the  sol- 
dier will  return  to  position  of  Ready.  Or  the  soldier 
may  be  made  to  repeat  first  and  second  motions  by  the 
command  One,  Two,  the  exercise  concluding  with  the 
command  Halt.  Care  should  be  taken  by  the  instructor 
not  to  make  the  position  and  aiming  drills  tedious. 


90  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

Thirty  minutes  daily  should  be  spent  in  this  practice 
during  the  period  of  preliminary  instruction.  After 
gallery  practice  is  taken  up,  however,  5  or  10  minutes 
daily  should  be  sufficient  for  these  exercises.  In  order 
that  the  instructor  may  readily  correct  errors,  the 
squads  for  these  drills  should  not  consist  of  more  than 
8  men.  The  instructor  should  avoid  holding  the  squad 
in  tiresome  positions  while  making  explanations  or 
correcting  errors. 

35.  POSITION  EXERCISE.— Instructor  commands : 
1.  Position,  2.  EXERCISE.  At  last  command,  without 
moving  body  or  eyes,  raise  rifles  smartly  to  the  front 
of  the  right  shoulder  to  the  full  extent  of  left  arm, 
elbow    inclined   downward,   barrel   nearly   horizontal, 
muzzle  slightly  depressed,  heel  of  butt  on  a  line  with 
top  of  shoulder.     (Two)  Bring  piece  smartly  against 
hollow   of  shoulder,   without  permitting   shoulder  to 
give  way,  and  press  rifle  against  it,  mainly  with  right 
hand,  only  slightly  with  the  left,  the  forefinger  of  right 
hand    resting    lightly    against    trigger,    rifle    inclined 
neither  to  right  or  left.     (Three)  Resume  position  of 
Ready. 

36.  REMARKS:    Instructor   should   especially   notice 
the  position  of  each  soldier  in  this  exercise,  endeavor- 
ing to  give  to  each  man  an  easy  and  natural  position. 
He  should  see  that  the  men  avoid  drawing  in  the  stom- 
ach, raising  the  breast,  or  bending  the  small  of  the 
back.   The  butt  of  the  piece  should  be  pressed  firmly, 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  91 

but  not  too  tightly,  into  the  hollow  of  the  shoulder 
and  not  against  the  muscles  of  the  upper  arm.  If  held 
too  tightly,  the  pulsations  of  the  body  will  be  com- 
municated to  the  piece;  if  too  loosely,  the  recoil  will 
bruise  the  shoulder.  If  only  the  heel  or  toe  touches  the 
hollow  of  the  shoulder,  the  recoil  may  throw  the  muz- 
zle down  or  up,  affecting  the  position  of  the  hit.  While 
both  arms  are  used  to  press  piece  to  shoulder,  the  left 
arm  should  be  used  to  direct  piece  and  the  right  fore- 
finger must  be  left  free  to  squeeze  the  trigger. 

37.  Aiming   Exercise.     Instructor  will   first   direct 
sights  to  be  adjusted  for  the  lowest  elevation  and  sub- 
sequently for  the  different  longer  ranges.     Instructor 
commands :  1.  Aiming,  2.  EXERCISE.  At  second  com- 
mand execute  first  and  second  motions  of  Position  Ex- 
ercise.  (See  Par.  35.)     (Two)    Bend  head  a  little  to  the 
right,  the  cheek  resting  against  the  stock,  left  eye 
closed,  right  eye  looking  through  the  notch  of  rear 
sight  at  a  point  slightly  below  the  mark.     (Three) 
Draw  a  moderately  long  breath,  let  a  portion  of  it  es- 
cape, then,  with  lungs  in  a  state  of  rest,  slowly  raise 
rifle  with  left  hand,  being  careful  not  to  incline  the 
sight  to  either  side,  until  the  line  of  sight  is  directly  on 
the  mark;  hold  the  rifle  steadily  directed  on  the  mark 
for  a  moment;  then,  without  command  and  just  before 
the  power  to  hold  the  rifle  steadily  is  lost,  drop  rifle  to 
position  of  Ready  and  resume  the  breathing. 

38.  REMARKS:     Some  riflemen  prefer  to  extend  the 


92  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

left  arm.  Such  position,  gives  greater  control  over  rifle 
when  firing  in  a  strong  wind  or  at  moving  objects.  It 
also  possesses  advantages  when  a  rapid  as  well  as  accu- 
rate delivery  of  fire  is  desired.  Whatever  the  position, 
whether  standing,  kneeling,  sitting,  or  prone,  the  piece 
should  rest  on  the  palm  of  the  left  hand,  never  on  the 
tips  of  the  fingers,  and  should  be  firmly  grasped  by  all 
the  fingers  and  the  thumb.  The  eye  may  be  brought  to 
the  line  of  sight  either  by  lowering  the  head  or  by  rais- 
ing the  shoulder;  it  is  best  to  combine  somewhat  these 
methods;  the  shoulder  to  be  well  raised  by  raising  the 
right  elbow  and  holding  it  well  to  the  front  and  at  right 
angles  to  the  body.  If  the  shoulder  is  not  raised  it  will  be 
necessary  for  the  soldier  to  lower  the  head  to  the  front 
in  order  to  bring  the  eye  into  the  line  of  sight.  Lower- 
ing the  head  too  far  to  the  front  brings  it  near  the  right 
hand  which  grasps  the  stock.  When  the  piece  is  dis- 
charged, this  hand  is  carried  by  the  recoil  to  the  rear  and, 
when  the  head  is  in  this  position,  may  strike  against  the 
nose  or  mouth.  This  often  happens  in  practice,  and  as  a 
result  of  this  blow  often  repeated  many  men  become  gun- 
shy,  or  flinch,  or  close  their  eyes  at  the  moment  of  fir- 
ing. Much  bad  shooting,  ascribed  to  other  causes,  is  really 
due  to  this  fault.  Raising  the  right  elbow  at  right  angles 
to  the  body  elevates  the  right  shoulder,  and  lifts  the  piece 
so  that  it  is  no  longer  necessary  to  incline  the  head  ma- 
terially to  the  front  in  order  to  look  along  the  sights.  As 
the  length  of  the  soldier's  neck  determines  greatly  the 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  93 

exact  method  of  taking  the  proper  position,  the  instructor 
will  be  careful  to  see  that  the  position  is  taken  without 
restraint. 

39.  As  changes  in  the  elevation  of  rear  sight  will  neces- 
sitate a  corresponding  change  in  the  position  of  the  sol- 
dier's head  when  aiming,  the  exercise  should  not  be  held 
with  the  sight  adjusted  for  the  longer  ranges  until  the 
men  have  been  practised  with  the  sights  as  the  latter 
would  generally  be  employed  for  offhand  firing. 

40.  The  soldier  must  be  cautioned  that  while  raising 
the  line  of  the  sight  to  the  mark  he  must  fix  his  eyes 
on  the  mark  and  not  on  the  front  sight ;  the  latter  can  then 
be  readily  brought  into  the  line  joining  the  rear-sight 
notch  and  mark.     If  this  plan  be  not  followed,  when 
firing  is  held  on  the  range  at  long  distances,  the  mark 
will  generally  appear  blurred  and  indistinct.    The  front 
sight  will  always  be  plainly  seen,  even  though  the  eye 
is  not  directed  particularly  upon  it. 

41.  The  rifle  must  be  raised  slowly,  without  jerk,  and 
its  motion  stopped  gradually.     In  retaining  it  directed 
at  the  mark,  care  must  be  taken  not  to  continue  the  aim 
after  steadiness  is  lost;  this  period  probably  will  be 
found  to  be  short  at  first,  but  will  quickly  lengthen 
with  practice.    No  effort  should  be  made  to  prolong  it 
beyond  the  time  that  breathing  can  be  restrained  easily. 
Each  soldier  will  determine  for  himself  the  proper  time 
for  discontinuing  the  aim. 

42.  The   men   must  be  cautioned   not  to   hold   the 


94  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

breath  too  long,  as  a  trembling  of  the  body  will  result 
in  many  cases. 

43.  Some  riflemen  prefer,  in  aiming,  to  keep  both 
eyes  open,  but  unless  the  habit  is  fixed,  the  soldier 
should  be  instructed  to  close  left  eye. 

44.  Trigger    Squeeze    Exercise.      Instructor    com- 
mands :  1.  Trigger  squeeze,  2.  EXERCISE.    At  second 
command  soldier  will  execute  first  motion  of  aiming 
exercise.  (See  Par.  37.)    (Two)  Execute  second  motion  of 
aiming  exercise.     (Three)    Draw   a  moderately  long 
breath,  let  a  portion  of  it  escape,  hold  the  breath  and 
slowly  raise  the  rifle  with  the  left  hand  until  the  line 
of  sight  is  on  the  mark,  being  careful  not  to  incline  the 
sights  to  either  side.    Contract  the  trigger  finger  grad- 
ually, slowly  and  steadily  increasing  the  pressure  on 
the  trigger,  while  the  aim  is  being  perfected ;  continue 
the  gradual  increase  of  pressure  so  that  when  the  aim 
has  become  exact  the  additional  pressure  required  to 
release  the  point  of  the  sear  can  be  given  almost  insen- 
sibly and  without  causing  any  deflection  of  the  rifle. 
Continue  the  aim  a  moment  after  the  release  of  the 
firing  pin,  observe  if  any  change  has  been  made  in 
the  direction  of  the  line  of  sight,  and  then  resume  the 
position  of  Ready,  cocking  the  piece  by  raising  and 
lowering  the  bolt  handle. 

45.  REMARKS:    Poor  shooting  is  often  the  result  of 
lack  of  proper  coordination  of  holding  the  breath,  the 
maximum  steadiness  of  aim,  and  the  squeeze  of  the 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  95 

trigger.  By  frequent  practice  in  this  exercise,  each 
man  may  come  to  know  the  exact  instant  his  firing  pin 
will  be  released.  He  must  be  taught  to  hold  the  breath, 
bring  the  sights  to  bear  upon  the  mark,  and  squeeze 
the  trigger  all  at  the  same  time. 

46.  The  Trigger  Squeeze. — The    trigger    should  be 
squeezed,  not  pulled,  the  hand  being  closed  upon  itself 
as  a  sponge  is  squeezed,  the  forefinger  sharing  in  this 
movement.     The   forefinger  should  be  placed  as  far 
around  the  trigger  as  to  press  it  with  the  second  joint. 
By  practice  the  soldier  becomes  familiar  with  the  trig- 
ger squeeze  of  his  rifle,  and  knowing  this,  he  is  able 
to  judge  at  any  time,  within  limits,  what  additional 
pressure  is  required  for  its  discharge.     By  constant 
repetition  of  this  exercise  he  should  be  able  finally  to 
squeeze  the  trigger  to  a  certain  point  beyond  which  the 
slightest  movement  will    release    the    sear.      Having 
squeezed  the  trigger  to  this  point,  the  aim  is  corrected 
and,  when  true,  the  additional  pressure  is  applied  and 
the  discharge  follows. 

47.  Rapid- Fire  Exercise.    Object :  To  teach  the  sol- 
dier to  aim  quickly  and  at  same  time  accurately  in  all 
the  positions  he  will  be  called  upon  to  assume  in  range 
practice. 

48.  Instructor  commands:  1.  Rapid-fire  exercise,  2. 
COMMENCE  FIRING.     At  first  command,  the  first 
and  second  motions  of  trigger-squeeze  exercise  are  per- 
formed.   (See  Par.  44.)    At  second  command,  soldier 


96  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

performs  third  motion  of  trigger-squeeze  exercise,  squeez- 
ing the  trigger  without  disturbing  the  aim  or  the  posi- 
tion of  the  piece,  but  at  the  same  time  without  undue 
deliberation.  He  then,  without  removing  the  rifle 
from  the  shoulder,  holding  the  piece  in  position  with 
left  hand,  grasps  handle  of  the  bolt  with  right  hand, 
rapidly  draws  back  the  bolt,  closes  the  chamber,  aims, 
and  again  squeezes  the  trigger.  This  movement  is  re- 
peated until  the  trigger  has  been  squeezed  5  times, 
when,  without  command,  piece  is  brought  back  to 
position  of  Ready.  When  soldier  has  acquired  some 
facility  in  this  exercise,  he  will  be  required  to  repeat 
the  movement  10  times,  and  finally,  by  using  dummy 
cartridges,  he  may,  by  degrees,  gain  the  necessary 
quickness  and  dexterity  for  the  execution  of  rapid  fire 
required  in  range  firing. 

49.  Methods. — The  methods  of  taking  position,  of 
aiming,  and  of  squeezing  the  trigger,  taught  in  the  pre- 
ceding exercises,  should  be  carried  out  in  the  rapid-fire 
exercise,  with  due  attention  to  all  details  taught 
therein ;  the  details  being  carried  out  as  prescribed  ex- 
cept that  greater  promptness  is  necessary.  In  order 
that  any  tendency  on  the  part  of  the  recruit  to  slight 
the  movements  of  aiming  and  of  trigger-squeeze  shall 
be  avoided,  the  rapid-fire  exercise  will  not  be  taught 
until  the  recruit  is  thoroughly  drilled  and  familiar  with 
the  preceding  exercises.  The  recruit  will  be  instructed 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  97 

that  with  practice  in  this  class  of  fire  the  trigger  can  be 
squeezed  promptly  without  deranging  the  piece. 

50.  Repetition. — If  the  recruit  seems  to  execute  ex- 
ercise carelessly,  require  him  to  repeat  it  at  a  slower 
rate. 

51.  Manipulation  of   Breech   Mechanism. — To  hold 
piece  to  shoulder  and,  at  same  time,  manipulate  breech 
mechanism  with  proper  facility  are  only  learned  after 
much  practice.     Some  riflemen,  especially  those  who 
shoot  from  left  shoulder,  find  it  easier,  in  rapid  fire,  to 
drop  piece  to  position  of  load  after  each  shot.    While 
at  first  trial  this  method  may  seem  easier,  it  is  believed 
that,  with  practice,  the  advantage  of  the  former  meth- 
ods will  be  apparent. 

52.  Position  and  Aiming  Drill,  Kneeling.    These  ex- 
ercises will  be  repeated  in  kneeling  position,  causing 
squad  to  kneel  by  commands  prescribed  in  Drill  Regu- 
lations.   The  exercises  will  be  executed  as  prescribed 
for  standing,  except  that  at  command  "  Two  "  in  posi- 
tion exercise,  soldier  will  rest  left  elbow  on  left  knee, 
the  point  of  elbow  in  front  of  knee-cap.     Pasters  for 
kneeling  exercises  should  be  2.5  feet  from  the  floor  or 
ground. 

53.  REMARKS  :    In  raising  rifle  to  the  mark  in  second 
and  third  exercises,  position  of  left  hand  should  not  be 
changed,  but  the  left  forearm  should  be  brought  toward 
body  and  at  same  time  body  bent  slightly  to  rear.    When 
aiming  kneeling  there  is,  from  nature  of  position,  a  ten- 

7 


98  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

dency  to  press  butt  of  rifle  against  upper  arm  instead 
of  against  hollow  of  shoulder;  this  will  necessitate 
inclining  head  considerably  to  right  to  get  line  of  sight, 
and  by  bringing  rifle  so  far  to  the  rear  will,  if  thumb 
is  placed  across  stock,  cause  it  to  give  by  the  recoil  a 
blow  upon  the  nose  or  mouth.  These  difficulties  may 
be  avoided  by  advancing  right  elbow  well  to  the  front, 
at  same  time  raising  it  so  that  arm  is  about  parallel 
with  ground.  The  hollow  of  shoulder  will  then  be  the 
natural  place  for  the  rifle  butt,  and  the  right  thumb  will 
be  brought  too  far  from  the  face  to  strike  it  in  recoil. 
Some  riflemen  prefer,  by  bending  the  ankle,  to  rest  the 
instep  flat  on  the  ground,  weight  of  body  coming  more 
on  the  upper  part  of  heel ;  this  obviates  any  tendency 
of  right  knee  to  slip;  or,  by  resting  right  side  of  foot 
on  the  ground,  toe  pointing  to  the  front,  to  bring 
weight  of  body  on  left  side  of  foot.  These  positions 
are  authorized. 

54.  Choice  of  Position. — In  firing  kneeling,  steadi- 
ness obtained  depends  greatly  upon  the  position 
adopted.  The  peculiarities  of  conformation  of  the  in- 
dividual soldier  exert,  when  firing  kneeling,  a  greater 
influence  than  when  firing  either  standing,  sitting,  or 
prone ;  the  instructor  should,  therefore,  carefully  en- 
deavor to  place  the  soldier  in  the  position  for  which 
he  is  bes-t  adapted  by  his  build  and  which  position  will 
exert  the  least  tension  or  strain  upon  muscles  and 
nerves.  It  should  be  remembered,  however,  that  with- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  99 

out  the  rest  of  left  elbow  on  knee  this  position  pos- 
sesses no  advantage  of  steadiness  over  standing 
position. 

55.  Kneeling     Position;     When    Taken. — Kneeling 
position  can  be  taken  more  quickly  than  either  the  sit- 
ting or  the  prone  position.     It  is,  therefore,  the  posi- 
tion naturally  assumed  when  a  soldier  who  is  standing 
or  advancing  has  to  make  a  quick  shot  at  a  moving  or 
disappearing  object  and  desires  more  steadiness  than 
can  be  obtained  standing. 

56.  Position   and   Aiming   Drill,    Sitting.    In  many 
cases  men,  while  able  to  kneel  and  hold  piece  moder- 
ately steady,  can  obtain  much  better  results  in  sitting 
position.    Therefore,  all  should  be  instructed  in  aim- 
ing sitting  as  well  as  kneeling.     To  practice  the  sol- 
dier in  the  preceding  exercises  in  a  sitting  position, 
squad  being  formed  in  single  rank  with  an  interval  of 
one  pace  between  files,  rifle  should  first  be  brought  to 
Order  Arms.     Instructor  then  commands:  Sit  Down. 
At  this  command,  make  half  face  to  right  and,  assisted 
by  left  hand  on  the  ground,  sit  down,  facing  slightly  to 
right,  left  leg  directed  toward  the  front,  right  leg  in- 
clined toward  the  right,  both  heels  (but  not  necessarily 
the  bottoms  of  feet)  on  the  ground,  right  knee  slightly 
higher  than  left ;  body  erect  and  carried  naturally  from 
the  hips;  at  same  time  drop  muzzle  of  piece  to  front 
and  to  position  of  first  motion  of  load,  right  hand  upon 
the  thigh,  just  in  front  of  body,  left  hand  slightly  above, 


100  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

but  not  resting  upon,  left  leg.  The  exercise  will  be 
executed  as  heretofore  prescribed,  except  that  at  com- 
mand  "  Two  "  (position  exercise)  the  soldier  will  rest 
the  left  elbow  on  left  knee,  the  point  of  elbow  in  front 
of  knee-cap,  and  the  right  elbow  against  the  left  or  in- 
side of  the  right  knee,  at  same  time  inclining  body 
slightly  forward.  For  aiming  and  trigger-squeeze  exer- 
cises the  pasters,  used  as  aiming  points,  will  be  2.5 
feet  from  ground  or  floor.  To  afford  men  rest  on  com- 
pletion of  kneeling  or  sitting  exercises,  instructor  com- 
mands Rise,  when  the  men  rise,  face  to  front,  and 
resume  the  Order  Arms. 

57.  If  preceding  position  is  practised  carefully, 
steadiness  is  attained  quickly.  Right  leg  should  not 
be  carried  so  far  to  right  as  not  to  afford  good  support 
or  brace  for  right  elbow.  This  position  may  be  modi- 
fied, but,  in  general,  not  without  impairing  the  steadi- 
ness of  the  man,  by  crossing  the  legs  at  ankle,  outside 
of  each  foot  resting  upon  the  ground,  body  more 
erect,  and  knees  slightly  more  raised  than  in  previous 
position. 

Position  and  Aiming  Drill,  Prone.  From  nature  of 
position,  it  is  not  practicable  to  execute  these  exer- 
cises according  to  method  followed  when  standing  or 
kneeling.  However,  instruction  will  be  given  always 
with  reference  to  the  position,  to  manner  of  assuming 
it,  and  to  aiming  and  squeezing  trigger.  For  this  pur- 
pose, the  squad  being  formed  as  specified  in  paragraph 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  101 

56  (black  pasters  therein  mentioned  being  about  12 
inches  from  ground),  squad  will  be  brought  to  Order 
Arms.  Then  (squad  either  standing  or  kneeling)  in- 
structor commands:  LIE  DOWN,  which  will  be  exe- 
cuted as  prescribed  in  Drill  Regulations  (see  Par. 
129  under  sec.  XXV,  above)  ;  legs  may  be  spread  apart 
and  toes  turned  out  if  found  to  give  steadier  position. 
After  squad  has  taken  position  as  prescribed  above, 
legs  should  be  inclined  well  to  left  and  either  crossed 
or  separated  as  the  soldier  prefers  or  as  his  particular 
conformation  appears  to  render  most  desirable,  and 
body  at  same  time  inclined  slightly  to  right.  With 
care  and  practice  soldier  may  acquire  an  easy  position 
which  he  is  able  to  assume  with  great  facility.  Being 
at  Ready,  instructor  then  commands:  1.  Trigger 
squeeze,  2.  EXERCISE.  At  second  command  carry 
left  elbow  to  the  front  and  slightly  to  right,  left  hand 
under  barrel  at  balance,  weight  of  body  mainly  sup- 
ported by  left  elbow,  the  right  resting  lightly  on  the 
floor  or  ground.  (Two)  Slide  rifle  with  right  hand 
through  left  hand  to  the  front  until  left  hand  is  a  little 
in  front  of  trigger  guard ;  at  same  time  raise  rifle  with 
both  hands  and  press  it  against  hollow  of  shoulder. 
(Three)  Direct  rifle  upon  the  mark  and  carry  out  the 
further  details  of  aiming  and  squeezing  the  trigger 
as  prescribed  in  Par.  44.  Then  resume  position,  lying 
down.  As  soon  as  the  men  have  acquired  with  ac- 


102  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

curacy  the  details  of  position  they  will  be  practised, 
without  the  numbers,  in  aiming  and  squeezing  the 
trigger  at  will;  after  which  the  rapid-fire  exercise  in 
prone  position  will  be  practised,  the  necessary  skill 
and  dexterity  being  acquired  by  degrees.  To  afford 
the  men  rest,  or  on  completion  of  the  exercise,  in- 
structor commands :  RISE,  which  is  executed  as  pre- 
scribed in  Drill  Regulations  (Par.  130  of  Sec.  XXV). 
59.  REMARKS:  The  preceding  position  for  firing  ly- 
ing down  possesses  in  a  greater  degree  than  any 
other  position  the  merit  of  adaptability  to  the  conforma- 
tion of  the  ground ;  it  enables  the  soldier  to  deliver 
fire  over  low  parapets  or  improvised  shelters,  thus  mak- 
ing the  best  use  of  cover.  The  importance  of  training 
the  soldier  in  firing  from  the  other  positions  should  not, 
however,  be  lost  sight  of,  since  from  the  prone  posi- 
tion it  will  frequently  be  impossible  to  see  the  ob- 
jective. Back  positions  are  not  authorized.  In  the 
prone  position,  when  aiming,  the  left  elbow  should  be 
well  under  the  barrel,  the  other  elbow  somewhat  to  the 
right,  but  not  so  far  as  to  induce  any  tendency  to  slip 
on  the  floor  or  ground.  The  greater  changes  in  eleva- 
tion required  in  first  directing  rifle  on  the  object  should 
be  given  by  altering  the  position  of  the  left  hand  under 
barrel,  the  slighter  changes  only  by  advancing  or  with- 
drawing shoulder.  As  the  body  does  not  yield  to  the 
recoil,  the  force  of  recoil  may  severely  bruise  the  sol- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  103 

dier  if  the  rifle  is  not  properly  held.  It  is  one  of  the 
objects  of  this  exercise  to  so  teach  him  that  this  will  be 
prevented  by  assuming  a  correct  position.  Care  must 
be  exercised  that  the  butt  is  not  brought  against  col- 
lar bone.  By  moving  shoulder  slightly  to  front  or 
rear,  and  by  moving  right  elbow  from  body  or  toward 
it,  each  soldier  may  determine  position  in  which  shoul- 
der gives  to  the  butt  of  the  rifle  the  easiest  rest.  This 
will  probably  be  the  one  in  which  the  force  of  recoil 
will  be  least  felt.  The  soldier  should  persist  in  this 
exercise  until  he  obtains  a  position  in  which  he  feels 
no  constraint,  which  will  not  subject  him  to  bruises 
from  recoil,  and  from  which  the  mark  appears  plainly 
through  the  sights.  Having  secured  such  a  position,  he 
must  not  change  it  when  firing,  as  a  variation  in  the 
points  of  support  of  the  rifle,  the  distance  of  eye  from 
rear  sight,  or  tension  of  the  hold  has  a  decided  effect, 
especially  at  longer  ranges,  upon  the  location  of  point 
struck. 

60.  Use  of  Sling. — After  soldier  has  been  drilled  in 
proper  standing,  kneeling,  sitting,  and  prone  positions 
in  foregoing  exercises,  the  use  of  sling  will  be  taught. 
Its  use  is  described  in  Par.  91.  Adjustments  and  their 
advantages  will  be  taught  with  the  idea  of  noninterfer- 
ence with  quickness  and  freedom  of  action.  The  trig- 
ger-squeeze exercises  will  then  be  continued  in  the 
different  positions,  using  sling. 


104  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

XXVII.  NOTES  ON  FIRST-AID  MEASURES 

In  every  command,  Medical  Officers  give  lectures 
and  demonstrations  on  this  subject.  There  is  an  ex- 
cellent booklet,  entitled  "  First  Aid  for  the  Trenches," 
by  Somerville  Hastings,  published -by  Geo.  V.  Harvey 
Publishing  Co.,  109  Lafayette  St.,  New  York,  price  60c. 
From  the  first  day  you  enter  the  service,  you  may  have 
occasion  to  apply  "  First  Aid  "  to  some  one  in  distress. 
Therefore,  the  following  notes  are  given  for  your  im- 
mediate use : 

1.  TO  DISTRESSED  IN  WATER:  (a)  If  the  dis- 
tressed person  is  in  danger  of  exhaustion,  he  should 
turn  and  float  on  back,  or  seek  support  from  any- 
thing floating  nearby.  Many  people  drowned,  sacri- 
fice themselves  solely  by  reason  of  panic  because  they 
struggle  desperately  in  the  water  instead  of  taking  the 
situation  calmly  by  floating  until  help  comes. 

(&)  In  rescuing  others,  swimmers  should  call  to  the 
distressed  person  and  tell  him  that  help  is  at  hand.  Res- 
cuer approaches  from  behind,  seizes  him  by  the  hair, 
an-i  turns  him  on  his  back.  Rescuer  takes  same  position 
behind  the  distressed  person,  keeping  the  head  above 
water  by  an  occasional  kick  or  movement  of  the  feet. 

(c)  As  soon  as  man  is  pulled  out  of  water,  remove  his 
shirt,  lay  him  on  his  face,  clasp  hands  under  his  belly, 
and  raise  his  stern  in  order  to  drain  water  from  his 
lungs. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  105 

(d)  Then  turn  him  on  his  back  quickly,  place  a  rolled 
shirt  or  bundle  under  his  shoulders,  and  thoroughly  wipe 
out  his  mouth  and  nose.  Pull  his  tongue  forward  and 
either  tie  a  string  around  it  and  the  chin  so  as  to  hold  it 
down,  or  grasp  tongue  with  handkerchief  and  hold  it  out. 

(0)  Restore  breathing:  First  motion. — Operator 
rests  on  one  knee  behind  man's  head,  seizes  both  his 
forearms,  thumbs  pointing  inward;  sweeps  them  away 
from  the  body  and  over  the  head,  at  same  time  operator 
braces  one  foot  against  man's  shoulder  and,  rising  and 
leaning  back,  makes  strong  pull  on  man's  arms  for  a 
couple  of  seconds.  Second  motion. — Operator  rises 
quickly  and,  leaning  over  patient,  still  grasping  his  fore- 
arms, brings  them  across  lower  part  of  his  chest,  making 
strong  pressure  with  operator's  weight  against  patient's 
lower  ribs,  to  drive  air  out  of  patient's  chest.  This  mo- 
tion takes  only  a  second.  Repeat  these  motions  alter- 
nately about  15  times  a  minute  for  at  least  half  an  hour 
unless  patient  begins  breathing  sooner. 

(/)  While  one  operator  is  doing  the  above,  another 
should  strip  off  patient's  wet  clothes  and  rub  his  body 
and  legs  toward  the  heart.  Put  warm  clothes  around 
him,  blankets  preferred,  and,  if  possible,  anything  hot 
(hot  bricks,  hot  sand,  a  board  that  has  lain  in  the  sun) 
should  be  applied  to  the  body. 

(g)  Do  not  remove  patient  until  he  is  conscious  and 
breathing  naturally. 

2.  EYE:    Particles  get  on  inner  surface  of  upper  lid. 


106  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

Tell  patient  to  look  down  and,  if  particles  can't  be  seen, 
press  a  match,  pencil,  or  edge  of  a  finger  across  upper 
lid,  half  an  inch  above  edge  of  lid,  at  same  time  taking 
hold  of  lashes  and  turning  lid  up.  Remove  particle 
with  a  corner  of  a  clean  handkerchief  or  end  of  a  clean 
stick. 

3.  EAR:    If  an  insect  or  other  object  lodges  in  ear, 
float  it  out  with  warm  water. 

4.  FIRE:    To  put  out  fire  burning  clothing  on  a  per- 
son, throw  the  person  down  and  cover  him  with  a  coat, 
blanket,  or  anything  that  will  smother  flames,  and  roll 
him  so  as  to  aid  the  smothering  process. 

5.  FAINTING:     Lay  the  fainting  person  flat  on 
back,  head  lower  than  body,  and  loosen  clothing.     If 
ammonia  is  at  hand,  hold  it  under  patient's  nose. 

6.  BLOOD     CHECKING     (Hemorrhage) :        (a) 
Early  in  your  service  get  a  Hospital  Corps  man  to  show 
you  exactly  your  great  blood  vessels,  which  are  called 
Carotid,  Subclavian,  Brachial,  and  Femoral  arteries. 

(b)  When  the  blood  spurts  in  jets,  or  flows  very 
freely,  press  the  great  vessels  in  that  part  against  the 
bone  beneath  so  as  to  stop  the  flow,  and  then,  with 
such  help  as  can  be  gotten  (using  aid  of  wounded  man 
if  he  can  give  any)  apply  a  "  Spanish  windlass "  or 
tourniquet.  The  "  Spanish  windlass  "  is  an  improvised 
appliance  consisting  of  a  handkerchief,  cloth,  or  band  of 
some  sort  more  than  long  enough  to  reach  around  the 
limb  or  part  where  the  blood-vessel  is;  ends  tied  to- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  107 

gether  and  a  stick  or  bayonet  thrust  through  the  knot, 
to  be  used  to  turn  the  band  tight.  Put  a  smooth  stone 
or  lumped  piece  of  cloth  over  the  blood-vessel  to  be 
compressed,  so  that  when  the  band  is  tightened  by  turn- 
ing the  stick  or  bayonet  the  stone  or  lump  will  press 
hard  down  on  the  vessel.  When  the  band  is  tight,  the 
stick  can  be  tied  to  the  band  so  that  it  can't  unwind. 
Don't  leave  windlass  tight  more  than  2  hours;  if  it 
stays  longer  tight,  gangrene  may  result. 

(c)  If  possible  stop  the  flow  of  blood  by  pressing 
against  the  wound  with  the  pad  in  the  First-Aid  Packet, 
or  by  pressing  against  the  blood-vessel  with  the  fingers 
until  medical  aid  arrives. 

(rf)  Elevate  the  wounded  part  as  much  as  possible 
and  loosen  all  tight  clothes. 

7.  FIRST-AID    PACKET    contains   2   compresses 
made  of  folds  of  gauze,  1  gauze  bandage,  2  safety-pins, 
and  a  triangular  bandage.    (Sometimes  the  compresses 
and  bandage  are  all  in  one  piece.) 

8.  First- Aid  Packet  Use.    (a)  Don't  wash  the  wound, 
nor  touch  it  with  the  fingers,     (b)  Don't  touch  any  part 
of  the  dressing  that  will  come  in  contact  with  wound. 
(c)Put  one  compress  on  each  hole  of  wound  or  wounds 
and  wrap  the  bandage  around  the  compresses  to  hold  them 
in  place,     (d)  If  wound  is  on  hairy  scalp,  part  the  hair 
without  touching  the  wound  before  applying  the  com- 
press,   (e)  If  the  wound  is  beneath  the  clothes,  cut  them 
so  that  the  wound  can  be  dressed.     (/)  When  a  bone  is 


108  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

broken  and  pieces  project  through  the  flesh,  check  the 
bleeding  and  apply  compresses  and  bandage.  Then  apply 
2  splints.  (Splints  are  stiff  pieces  of  something  that  will 
act  as  a  support;  pieces  of  wood  are  best,  but  if  sticks 
can't  be  obtained  promptly  use  the  stiffest  things  at 
hand :  pasteboard,  newspapers  folded  in  the  form  of 
narrow  boards,  or  even  a  sock  filled  with  straw,  grass 
or  sand.)  The  bones  must  be  pulled  into  place  before 
applying  splints,  which  will  then  hold  the  bones  in  place 
after  the  splints  are  tied  on.  Tie  the  splints  in  2  places, 
one  above  and  one  below  the  wound  or  fracture. 
Strings,  suspenders,  or  gun  slings  may  be  used  for 
tying.  Fix  the  knots  against  the  splint,  not  against 
the  flesh.  Don't  tie  tight  enough  to  shut  off  circula- 
tion of  blood,  (g)  Broken  bones  should  be  splinted 
before  moving  wounded  man  to  rear.  Then  if  break  is 
not  in  leg  he  usually  can  walk  to  rear  by  being  sup- 
ported. If  break  is  in  leg  he  must  be  carried,  (h)  In 
every  case  keep  wounded  part  elevated  to  avoid  con- 
gestion of  blood. 

XXIX.  PERTINENT  SELECTIONS  FROM  "AR- 
TICLES FOR  THE  GOVERNMENT 
OF  THE  NAVY." 

Article  3.  Any  irreverent  or  unbecoming  behavior 
during  divine  service  shall  be  punished  as  a  general  or 
summary  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art  4.  The  punishment  of  death,  or  such  other  pun- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  109 

ishment  as  a  court-martial  may  adjudge,  may  be  in- 
flicted on  any  person  in  the  naval  service : 

(1)  Who  makes,  or  attempts  to  make,  or  unites  with 
any  mutiny  or  mutinous  assembly,  or,  being  witness 
to  or  present  at  any  mutiny,  does  not  do  his  utmost 
to  suppress  it ;  or,  knowing  of  any  mutinous  assembly 
or  of  any  intended  mutiny,  does  not  immediately  com- 
municate his  knowledge  to  his  superior  or  commanding 
officer ; 

(2)  Or  disobeys  the  lawful  orders  of  his  superior 
officer; 

(3)  Or  strikes  or  assaults,  or  attempts  or  threatens 
to  strike  or  assault,  his  superior  officer  while  in  the 
execution  of  the  duties  of  his  office; 

(4)  Or  gives  any  intelligence  to,  or  holds  or  enter- 
tains any  intercourse  with,  an  enemy  or  rebel,  with- 
out leave  from  the  President,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
the  Commander-in-chief  of  the  fleet,  the  commander 
of  the  squadron,  or,  in  case  of  a  vessel  acting  singly, 
from  his  commanding  officer; 

(5)  Or  receives  any  message  or  letter  from  an  enemy 
or  rebel,  or,  being  aware  of  the  unlawful  reception  of 
such  message  or  letter,  fails  to  take  the  earliest  oppor- 
tunity to  inform  his  superior  officer  or  commanding 
officer  thereof; 

(6)  Or,  in  time  of  war,  deserts  or  entices  others  to 
desert ; 

(7)  Or,  in  time  of  war,  deserts  or  betrays  his  trust, 


110  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

or  entices  or  aids  others  to  desert  or  betray  their  trust ; 

(8)  Or  sleeps  upon  his  watch; 

(9)  Or  leaves  his  station  before  being  regularly  re- 
lieved; 

(10)  Or  intentionally  or  willfully  suffers  any  vessel 
of  the  Navy  to  be  stranded  or  run  upon  rocks  or  shoals, 
or  improperly  hazarded ;  or  maliciously  or  willfully  in- 
jures any  vessel  of  the  Navy,  or  any  part  of  her  tackle, 
armament,  or  equipment,  whereby  the  safety  of  the 
vessel  is  hazarded  or  the  lives  of  the  crew  exposed  to 
danger; 

(11)  Or  unlawfully  sets  on  fire,  or  otherwise  unlaw- 
fully destroys,  any  public  property  not  at  the  time  in 
possession  of  an  enemy,  pirate,  or  rebel; 

(12)  Or  strikes  or  attempts  to  strike  the  flag  to  an 
enemy  or  rebel  without  proper  authority,  or,  when 
engaged  in   battle,  treacherously  yields  or  pusillani- 
mously  cries  for  quarter; 

(13)  Or,  in  time  of  battle,  displays  cowardice,  neg- 
ligence, or  disaffection,  or  withdraws  from  or  keeps 
out  of  danger  to  which  he  should  expose  himself ; 

(14)  Or,  in  time  of  battle,  deserts  his  duty  or  station, 
or  entices  others  to  do  so; 

(15)  Or  does  not  properly  observe  the  orders  of  his 
commanding  officer,  and  use  his  utmost  exertions  to 
carry  them  into  execution,  when  ordered  to  prepare 
for  or  join  in,  or  when  actually  engaged  in  battle,  or 
while  in  sight  of  an  enemy ; 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  111 

(16)  Or,  being  in  command  of  a  fleet,  squadron,  or 
vessel  acting  singly,  neglects,  when  an  engagement  is 
probable,  or  when  an  armed  vessel  of  an  enemy  or 
rebel  is  in  sight,  to  prepare  and  clear  his  ship  or  ships 
for  action; 

(17)  Or  does  not,  upon  signal  for  battle,  use  his 
utmost  exertion  to  join  in  battle ; 

(18)  Or  fails  to  encourage,  in  his  own  person,  his 
inferior  officers  and  men  to  fight  courageously ; 

(19)  Or  does  not  do  his  utmost  to  overtake  and  cap- 
ture or  destroy  any  vessel  which  it  is  his  duty  to 
encounter ; 

(20)  Or  does  not  afford  all  practicable  relief  and 
assistance  to  vessels  belonging  to  the  United  States 
or  their  allies  when  engaged  in  battle. 

Art.  5.  All  persons  who,  in  time  of  war,  or  of  rebel- 
lion against  the  supreme  authority  of  the  United  States, 
come  or  are  found  in  the  capacity  of  spies,  or  who 
bring  or  deliver  any  seducing  letter  or  message  from 
an  enemy  or  rebel,  or  endeavor  to  corrupt  any  person 
in  the  Navy  to  betray  his  trust,  shall  suffer  death, 
or  such  other  punishment  as  a  court-martial  may 
adjudge. 

Art.  6.  If  any  person  belonging  to  any  public  ves- 
sel of  the  United  States  commits  the  crime  of  murder 
without  the  territorial  jurisdiction  thereof  he  may  be 
tried  by  court-martial  and  punished  with  death. 

Art.  7.  A  naval  court-martial  may  adjudge  the  pun- 


112  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

ishment  of  imprisonment  for  life,  or  for  a  stated  term, 
at  hard  labor,  in  any  case  where  it  is  authorized  to 
adjudge  death;  and  such  sentences  may  be  carried  into 
execution  in  any  prison  or  penitentiary  under  control 
of  the  United  States,  or  which  the  United  States  may 
be  allowed  by  the  legislature  of  any  state  to  use ;  and 
persons  so  imprisoned  shall  be  subject  in  all  respects 
to  the  same  discipline  and  treatment  as  convicts  sen- 
tenced by  the  courts  of  the  State  or  Territory  in  which 
same  may  be  situated. 

Art.  8.  Such  punishment  as  a  court-martial  may  ad- 
judge may  be  inflicted  upon  any  person  in  the  Navy: 

(1)  Who  is  guilty  of  profane  swearing,  falsehood, 
drunkenness,  gambling,  fraud,  theft,  or  any  other  scan- 
dalous conduct    tending    to    the    destruction    of  good 
morals ; 

(2)  Or  is  guilty  of  cruelty  toward,  or  oppression 
or  maltreatment  of  any  person  subject  to  his  orders ; 

(3)  Or  quarrels  with,  strikes,  or  assaults,  or  uses 
provoking  or  reproachful  words,  gestures,  or  menaces 
toward,  any  person  in  the  Navy ; 

(4)  Or  endeavors  to  foment  quarrels  between  other 
persons  in  the  Navy ; 

(5)  Or  sends  or  accepts  a  challenge  to  fight  a  duel  or 
acts  as  a  second  in  a  duel ; 

(6)  Or  treats  his  superior  officer  with  contempt,  or 
is  disrespectful  to  him   in   language   or  deportment, 
while  in  the  execution  of  his  office ; 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  113 

(7)  Or  joins  in  or  abets  any  combination  to  weaken 
the  lawful  authority  of,  or  lessen  the  respect  due  to, 
his  commanding  officer; 

(8)  Or  utters  any  seditious  or  mutinous  words ; 

(9)  Or  is  negligent  or  careless  in  obeying  orders, 
or  culpably  inefficient  in  the  performance  of  duty; 

(10)  Or  does  not  use  his  best  exertions  to  prevent 
the  unlawful  destruction  of  public  property  by  others ; 

(11)  Or  through  inattention  or  negligence  suffers 
any  vessel  of  the  Navy  to  be  stranded,  or  run  upon  a 
rock  or  shoal,  or  hazarded ; 

(12)  Or,  when  attached  to  any  vessel  appointed  as 
convoy  to  any  merchant  or  other  vessels,  fails  dili- 
gently to  perform  his  duty,  or  demands  or  exacts  any 
compensation  for  his  services,  or  maltreats  the  officers 
or  crew  of  such  merchant  or  other  vessels ; 

(14)  Or  knowingly  makes  or  signs   or   aids,   abets, 
directs,   or  procures   the  making  or  signing  of,   any 
false  muster; 

(15)  Or  wastes  any  ammunition,  provisions  or  other 
public  property,  or  having  power  to  prevent  it,  know- 
ingly permits  such  waste; 

(16)  Or,  when  on  shore,  plunders,  abuses,  or  mal- 
treats any  inhabitant,  or  injures  his  property  in  any 
way; 

(17)  Or  refuses,  or  fails  to  use  his  utmost  exertions 
to   detect,   apprehend,   and   bring   to   punishment   all 

8 


114  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

offenders,   or  to   aid   all   persons   appointed  for  that 
purpose ; 

(18)  Or,  when  rated  or  acting  as  master-at-arms,  re- 
fuses to  receive  such  prisoners  as  may  be  committed 
to  his  charge,  or,  having  received  them,  suffers  them 
to  escape,  or  dismisses  them    without    orders    from 
proper  authority; 

(19)  Or  is  absent  from  his  station  or  dut)  without 
leave,  or  after  his  leave  has  expired ; 

(20)  Or  violates  or  refuses  obedience  to  any  lawful 
general  order  or  regulation  issued  by  the  Secretary  of 
the  Navy; 

(21)  Or,  in  time  of  peace,  deserts  or  attempts  to  de- 
sert, or  aids  and  entices  others  to  desert ; 

(22)  Or  receives  or  entertains   any  deserter  from 
any  other  vessel  of  the  Navy,  knowing  him  to  be  such, 
and  does  not,  with  all  convenient  speed,  give  notice 
of  such    deserter    to    the    commander    of  the  vessel 
to  which  he  belongs,  or  to  the  commander-in-chief,  or 
to  the  commander  of  the  squadron. 

Art.  11.  No  person  in  the  naval  service  shall  pro- 
cure stores  or  other  articles  or  supplies  for,  and  dis- 
pose thereof  to,  the  officers  or  enlisted  men  on  vessels 
of  the  Navy,  or  at  any  navy  yards  or  naval  stations,  for 
his  own  account  or  benefit. 

Art.  12.  No  person  connected  with  the  Navy  shall, 
under  any  pretense,  import  in  a  public  vessel  any  ar- 
ticle which  is  liable  to  the  payment  of  duty. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  115 

Art.  13.  Distilled  spirits  shall  be  admitted  on  board 
of  vessels  of  war  only  upon  the  order  and  under  the 
control  of  the  medical  officers  of  such  vessels,  and  to 
be  used  for  medical  purposes  only. 

Art.  14.  Fine  and  imprisonment,  or  such  other  pun- 
ishment as  a  court-martial  may  adjudge,  shall  be  in- 
flicted upon  any  person  in  the  naval  service  of  the 
United  States: 

Who  presents  or  causes  to  be  presented  to  any  per- 
son in  the  civil,  military,  or  naval  service  thereof,  for 
approval  or  payment,  any  claim  against  the  United 
States  or  any  officer  thereof,  knowing  such  claim  to  be 
false  or  fraudulent;  or 

Who  enters  into  any  agreement  or  conspiracy  to 
defraud  the  United  States  by  obtaining,  or  aiding 
others  to  obtain,  the  allowance  or  payment  of  any  false 
or  fraudulent  claim ;  or  *  *  *  * 

Who  steals,  embezzles,  knowingly  and  willfully  mis- 
appropriates, applies  to  his  own  use  or  benefit,;  or 
wrongfully  and  knowingly  sells  or  disposes  of  any  ord- 
nance, arms,  equipments,  ammunition,  clothing,  sub- 
sistence stores,  money,  or  other  property  of  the  United 
States,  furnished  or  intended  for  the  military  or  naval 
service  thereof;  or  *  *  *  * 

Who  executes,  attempts,  or  countenances  any  other 
fraud  against  the  United  States. 

Art  17.  If  any  person  in  the  Navy  strips  off  the 
clothes  of,  or  pillages,  or  in  any  manner  maltreats, 


116  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

any  person  taken  on  board  a  prize,  he  shall  suffer  such 
punishment  as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  22.  All  offenses  committed  by  persons  belong- 
ing to  the  Navy  which  are  not  specified  in  the  forego- 
ing articles  shall  be  punished  as  a  court-martial  may 
direct. 

Art.  23.  All  offenses  committed  by  persons  belong- 
ing to  the  Navy  while  on  shore  shall  be  punished  in 
the  same  manner  as  if  they  had  been  committed  at  sea. 

Art.  24.  No  commander  of  a  vessel  (or  commandant 
of  a  post  on  shore)  shall  *  *  *  inflict  or  cause  to  be 
inflicted  upon  any  petty  (or  non-commissioned)  officer, 
or  person  of  inferior  rating,  or  marine,  for  a  single  of- 
fense, or  at  any  one  time,  any  other  than  one  of  the 
following  punishments,  namely: 

(1)  Reduction  of  any  rating  (rank)  established  by 
himself. 

(2)  Confinement,  not  exceeding  10  days,  unless  fur- 
ther confinement  be  necessary  in  the  case  of  a  prisoner 
to  be  tried  by  court-martial.    The  use  of  irons,  single 
or  double,  is  abolished  except  for  the  purpose  of  safe 
custody  or  when  part  of  a  sentence  imposed  by  general 
court-martial. 

(3)  Solitary  confinement,  on  bread  and  water,  not 
exceeding  5  days. 

(4)  Solitary  confinement  not  exceeding  7  days. 

(5)  Deprivation  of  liberty  on  shore. 

(6)  Extra  duties. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  117 

Art.  30.  Summary  courts-martial  may  sentence 
petty  (and  non-commissioned)  officers  and  persons  of 
inferior  ratings  (rank)  to  any  one  of  the  following 
punishments,  namely: 

(1)  Discharge  from   the   service   with   bad-conduct 
discharge;  but  the  sentence  shall  not  be  carried  in  ef- 
fect in  a  foreign  country. 

(2)  Solitary  confinement,  not  exceeding  30  days,  on 
bread  and  water,  or  on  diminished  rations. 

(3)  Solitary  confinement  not  exceeding  30  days. 

(4)  Confinement  not  exceeding  2  months. 

(5)  Reduction  to  next  inferior  rating  (rank). 

(6)  Deprivation    of    liberty    on    shore    on    foreign 
station. 

(7)  Extra  police  duties,  and  loss  of  pay,  not  to  ex- 
ceed 3  months,  may  be  added  to  any  of  the  above- 
mentioned  punishments. 

Art.  31.  A  summary  court-martial  may  disrate  (re- 
duce) any  rated  person  (non-commissioned  officer)  for 
incompetency. 

Art.  49.  In  no  case  shall  punishment  by  flogging,  or 
by  branding,  marking,  or  tattooing  on  the  body  be 
adjudged  by  any  court-martial  or  be  inflicted  upon  any 
person  in  the  Navy. 

Art.  50.  No  person  shall  be  sentenced  by  a  court- 
martial  to  suffer  death,  except  by  the  concurrence  of 
two-thirds  of  the  members  present,  and  in  cases  where 
such  punishment  is  expressly  provided  in  these  articles. 


118  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

All  other  sentences  may  be  determined  by  a  majority 
of  votes. 

Art.  53.  No  sentence  of  a  court-martial,  extending  to 
the  loss  of  life,  *  *  *  shall  be  carried  into  execution 
until  confirmed  by  the  President. 

Art.  502.  Navy  Regulations,  1913:  A  deck  court 
shall  consist  of  one  commissioned  officer  only,  who, 
while  serving  in  such  capacity,  shall  have  power  to  ad- 
minister oaths,  to  hear  and  determine  cases,  and  to  im- 
pose, in  whole  or  in  part,  the  punishment  prescribed  by 
Article  30  of  the  Articles  for  the  Government  of  the 
Navy,  but  in  no  case  shall  a  deck  court  adjudge  con- 
finement or  forfeiture  of  pay  for  a  longer  period  than 
20  days.  The  order  constituting  the  court  shall  be  in 
writing. 

Art.  506.  When  an  enlisted  man  is  brought  before 
the  deck  court  for  trial,  he  shall  signify  his  willingness 
to  be  so  tried  by  affixing  his  signature  to  a  statement 
to  that  effect  in  the  record.  If  he  does  so  object  to 
such  a  trial,  he  shall  be  tried  for  the  offense  by  a  sum- 
mary court-martial. 

As  the  Articles  for  the  Government  of  the  Navy  con- 
stitute the  statutory  law  under  which  the  personnel  of 
the  Navy  is  governed,  so  the  Articles  of  War,  em- 
bodied in  an  Act  of  Congress,  approved  August  29, 
1916  (39  Stat.  650-670),  amending  Section  1342,  Re- 
vised Statutes  of  the  United  States,  present  the  funda- 
mental law  for  the  personnel  of  the  Army.  Every 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  119 

soldier  of  the  Army  should  familiarize  himself  with 
the  following  selected  articles,  which  refer  in  particular 
to  military  jurisdiction  and  define  military  offenses. 

Article  1.  Definitions. — The  following  words  when 
used  in  these  articles  shall  be  construed  in  the  sense 
indicated  in  this  article,  unless  the  context  shows  that 
a  different  sense  is  intended,  namely: 

(a)  The  word  "  officer  "  shall  be  construed  to  refer  to 
a  commissioned  officer; 

(&)  The  word  "  soldier  "  shall  be  construed  as  includ- 
ing a  non-commissioned  officer,  a  private,  or  any  other 
enlisted  man; 

(c)  The  word  "  company  "  shall  be  understood  as  in- 
cluding a  troop  or  battery;  and 

(d)  The  word  "  battalion  "  shall  be  understood  as  in- 
cluding a  squadron. 

Art.  2.  Persons  Subject  to  Military  Law. — The  fol- 
lowing persons  are  subject  to  these  articles  and  shall 
be  understood  as  included  in  the  term  "  any  person 
subject  to  military  law,"  or  "  persons  subject  to  mili- 
tary law,"  whenever  used  in  these  articles :  Provided, 
That  nothing  contained  in  this  Act,  except  as  specifi- 
cally provided,  in  Article  2,  subparagraph  (c),  shall 
be  construed  to  apply  to  any  person  under  the  United 
States  naval  jurisdiction,  unless  otherwise  specifically 
provided  by  law: 

(a)  All  officers  and  soldiers  belonging  to  the  Regular 
Army  of  the  United  States;  all  volunteers,  from  the  dates 


120  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

of  their  muster  or  acceptance  into  the  military  service 
of  the  United  States;  and  all  other  persons  lawfully 
called,  drafted  or  ordered  into,  or  to  duty  or  for  training 
in,  the  said  service,  from  the  dates  they  are  required  by 
the  terms  of  the  call,  draft  or  order  to  obey  the  same ; 
(&)  Cadets; 

(c)  Officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Marine  Corps  when 
detached  for  service  with  the  armies  of  the  United  States 
by  order  of  the  President :    Provided,  That  an  officer  or 
soldier  of  the  Marine  Corps  when  so  detached  may  be 
tried  by  military  court-martial  for  an  offense  committed 
against  the  laws  for  the  government  of  the  naval  service 
prior  to  his  detachment,  and  for  an  offense  committed 
against  these  articles  he  may  be  tried  by  a  naval  court- 
martial  after  such  detachment  ceases; 

(d)  All  retainers  to  the  camp  and  all  persons  accom- 
panying or  serving  with  the  armies  of  the  United  States 
without  the  territorial  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States, 
and  in  time  of  war  all  such  retainers  and  persons  accom- 
panying or  serving  with  the  armies  of  the  United  States 
in  the  field,  both  within  and  without  the  territorial  juris- 
diction of  the  United  States,  though  not  otherwise  subject 
to  these  articles; 

(e)  All  persons  under  sentence  adjudged  by  courts- 
martial  ; 

(/)  All  persons  admitted  into  the  Regular  Army  Sol- 
diers' .Home  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  121 

Art.  3.  Courts-Martial  Classified.  Courts-martial 
shall  be  of  three  kinds,  namely : 

First,  General  courts-martial; 

Second,  Special  courts-martial ;  and 

Third,  Summary  courts-martial. 

Art.  4.  Who  May  Serve  on  Courts-Martial. — All 
officers  in  the  military  service  of  the  United  States,  and 
officers  of  the  Marine  Corps  when  detached  for  service 
with  the  Army  by  order  of  the  President,  shall  be 
competent  to  serve  on  courts-martial  for  the  trial  of 
any  persons  who  may  lawfully  be  brought  before  such 
courts  for  trial. 

Art.  5.  General  Courts-Martial. — General  courts- 
martial  may  consist  of  any  number  of  officers  from  five 
to  thirteen,  inclusive ;  but  they  shall  not  consist  of  less 
than  thirteen  when  that  number  can  be  convened  with- 
out manifest  injury  to  the  service. 

Art.  6.  Special  Courts-Martial. — Special  courts- 
martial  may  consist  of  any  number  of  officers  from 
three  to  five,  inclusive. 

Art.  7.  Summary  Courts-Martial. — A  summary 
court-martial  shall  consist  of  one  officer. 

Art.  12.  General  Courts-Martial. — General  courts- 
martial  shall  have  power  to  try  any  person  subject  to 
military  law  for  any  crime  or  offense  made  punishable 
by  these  articles  and  any  other  person  who  by  the  law 
of  war  is  subject  to  trial  by  military  tribunals:  Pro- 
vided, That  no  officer  shall  be  brought  to  trial  before 


122  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

a  general  court-martial  appointed  by  the  Superinten- 
dent of  the  Military  Academy. 

Art.  13.  Special  Courts-Martial. — Special  courts- 
martial  shall  have  power  to  try  any  person  subject  to 
military  law,  except  an  officer,  for  any  crime  or  offense 
not  capital  made  punishable  by  these  articles:  Pro- 
vided, That  the  President  may,  by  regulations,  which 
he  may  modify  from  time  to  time,  except  from  the  juris- 
diction of  special  courts-martial  any  class  or  classes 
of  persons  subject  to  military  law. 

Special  courts-martial  shall  not  have  power  to  ad- 
judge dishonorable  discharge,  nor  confinement  in  ex- 
cess of  six  months,  nor  to  adjudge  forfeiture  of  more 
than  six  months'  pay. 

Art.  14.  Summary  Courts-Martial.  —  Summary 
courts-martial  shall  have  power  to  try  any  person  sub- 
ject to  military  law,  except  an  officer,  a  cadet,  or  sol- 
dier holding  the  privileges  of  a  certificate  of  eligibility 
to  promotion,  for  any  crime  or  offense  not  capital  made 
punishable  by  these  articles :  Provided,  That  non-com- 
missioned officers  shall  not,  if  they  object  thereto,  be 
brought  to  trial  before  a  summary  court-martial  with- 
out the  authority  of  the  officer  competent  to  bring 
them  to  trial  before  a  general  court-martial :  Pro- 
vided further,  That  the  President  may,  by  regulations, 
which  he  may  modify  from  time  to  time,  except  from 
the  jurisdiction  of  summary  courts-martial  any  class  or 
classes  of  persons  subject  to  military  law. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  123 

Summary  courts-martial  shall  not  have  power  to  ad- 
judge confinement  in  excess  of  three  months,  nor  to 
adjudge  the  forfeiture  of  more  than  three  months'  pay: 
Provided,  That  when  the  summary  court  officer  is 
also  the  commanding  officer  no  sentence  of  such  sum- 
mary court-martial  adjudging  confinement  at  hard 
labor  or  forfeiture  of  pay,  or  both,  for  a  period  in  excess 
of  one  month  shall  be  carried  into  execution  until  the 
same  shall  have  been  approved  by  superior  authority. 

Art.  15.  Not  Exclusive. — The  provisions  of  these 
articles  conferring  jurisdiction  upon  courts-martial 
shall  not  be  construed  as  depriving  military  commis- 
sions, provost  courts  or  other  military  tribunals  of 
concurrent  jurisdiction  in  respect  of  offenders  or  of- 
fenses that  by  the  law  of  war  may  be  lawfully  triable 
by  such  military  commissions,  provost  courts,  or  other 
military  tribunals. 

Art.  16.  Officers;  How  Triable. — Officers  shall  be 
triable  only  by  general  courts-martial,  and  in  no  case 
shall  an  officer,  when  it  can  be  avoided,  be  tried  by 
officers  inferior  to  him  in  rank. 

Art.  17.  Judge  Advocate  to  Prosecute. — The  judge 
advocate  of  a  general  or  special  court-martial  shall 
prosecute  in  the  name  of  the  United  States,  and  shall, 
under  the  direction  of  the  court,  prepare  the  record 
of  its  proceedings.  The  accused  shall  have  the  right 
to  be  represented  by  counsel  of  his  own  selection  for 
his  defense,  if  such  counsel  be  reasonably  available, 


124  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

but  should  he,  for  any  reason,  be  unrepresented  by 
counsel,  the  judge  advocate  shall  from,  time  to  time 
throughout  the  proceedings  advise  the  accused  of  his 
legal  rights. 

Art.  18.  Challenges. — Members  of  a  general  or  spe- 
cial court-martial  may  be  challenged  by  the  accused, 
but  only  for  cause  stated  to  the  court.  The  court 
shall  determine  the  relevancy  and  validity  thereof,  and 
shall  not  receive  a  challenge  to  more  than  one  member 
at  a  time. 

Art.  20.  Continuances. — A  court-martial  may^  for 
reasonable  cause,  grant  a  continuance  to  either  party 
for  such  time  and  as  often  as  may  appear  to  be  just. 

Art.  21.  Refusal  to  Plead. — When  the  accused,  ar- 
raigned before  a  court-martial,  from  obstinacy  and  de- 
liberate design  stands  mute  or  answers  foreign  to  the 
purpose,  the  court  may  proceed  to  trial  and  judgment 
as  if  he  had  pleaded  not  guilty. 

Art.  22.  Process  to  Obtain  Witnesses. — Every  judge 
advocate  of  a  general  or  special  court-martial  and 
every  summary  court-martial  shall  have  power  to  issue 
the  like  process  to  compel  witnesses  to  appear  and 
testify  which  courts  of  the  United  States,  having  crim- 
inal jurisdiction,  may  lawfully  issue;  but  such  process 
shall  run  to  any  part  of  the  United  States,  its  Terri- 
tories, and  possessions. 

Art.  23.  Refusal  to  Appear  or  Testify. — Every  per- 
son not  subject  to  military  law  who,  being  duly  sub- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  125 

pcenaed  to  appear  as  a  witness  before  any  military 
court^  commission,  court  of  inquiry,  or  board,  or  be- 
fore any  officer,  military  or  civil,  designated  to  take  a 
deposition  to  read  in  evidence  before  court,  commis- 
sion, court  of  inquiry,  or  board,  willfully  neglects  or 
refuses  to  appear,  or  refuses  to  qualify  as  a  witness,  or 
to  testify,  or  produce  documentary  evidence  which  such 
person  may  have  been  legally  subpoenaed  to  produce, 
shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  for  which 
such  person  shall  be  punished  on  information  in  the 
district  court  of  the  United  States  or  in  a  court  of 
original  criminal  jurisdiction  in  any  of  the  territorial 
possessions  of  the  United  States,  jurisdiction  being 
hereby  conferred  upon  such  courts  for  such  purpose;  and 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  United  States  district  attorney 
or  the  officer  prosecuting  for  the  Government  in  any 
such  court  of  original  criminal  jurisdiction,  on  the  cer- 
tificate of  the  facts  to  him  by  the  military  court,  com- 
mission, court  of  inquiry,  or  board,  to  file  an  informa- 
tion against  and  prosecute  the  person  so  offending,  and 
the  punishment  of  such  person,  on  conviction,  shall  be 
a  fine  of  not  more  than  $500  or  imprisonment  not  to 
exceed  six  months,  or  both,  at  the  discretion  of  the 
court :  Provided,  That  the  fees  of  such  witness  and  his 
mileage,  at  the  rates  allowed  to  witnesses  attending 
the  courts  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  duly  paid  or 
tendered  said  witness,  such  amount  to  be  paid  out  of 
the  appropriation  for  the  compensation  of  witnesses. 


126  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

Art.  29.  Enlistment  Without  Discharge. — Any  sol- 
dier who,  without  having  first  received  a  regular  dis- 
charge, again  enlists  in  the  Army,  or  in  the  militia 
when  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  or  in  the  Navy 
or  Marine  Corps  of  the  United  States,  or  in  any  foreign 
army,  shall  be  deemed  to  have  deserted  the  service  of 
the  United  States ;  and,  where  the  enlistment  is  in  one 
of  the  forces  of  the  United  States  mentioned  above,  to 
have  fraudulently  enlisted  therein. 

Art.  32.  Contempts. — A  court-martial  may  punish 
at  discretion,  subject  to  the  limitations  contained  in 
Article  14,  any  person  who  uses  any  menacing  words, 
signs,  or  gestures  in  its  presence,  or  who  disturbs  its 
proceedings  by  any  riot  or  disorder. 

Art.  37.  Irregularities;  Effect  of. — The  proceedings 
of  a  court-martial  shall  not  be  held  invalid,  nor  the 
findings  or  sentence  disapproved,  in  any  case  on  the 
ground  of  improper  admission  or  rejection  of  evidence 
or  for  any  error  as  to  any  manner  of  pleading  or  pro- 
cedure unless  in  the  opinion  of  the  reviewing  or  con- 
firming authority,  after  an  examination  of  the  entire 
proceedings,  it  shall  appear  that  the  error  complained 
of  has  injuriously  affected  the  substantial  rights  of  the 
accused:  Provided,  That  the  act  or  omission  upon 
which  the  accused  has  been  tried  constitutes  an  offense 
denounced  and  made  punishable  by  one  or  more  of 
these  articles:  Provided  further,  That  the  omission 
of  the  words  "  hard  labor  "  in  any  sentence  of  a  court- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  127 

martial  adjudging  imprisonment  or  confinement  shall 
not  be  construed  as  depriving  the  authorities  executing 
such  sentence  of  imprisonment  or  confinement  of  the 
power  to  require  hard  labor  as  a  part  of  the  punishment 
in  any  case  where  it  is  authorized  by  the  Executive 
order  prescribing  maximum  punishments. 

Art.  39.  As  to  Time. — Except  for  desertion  com- 
mitted in  time  of  war,  or  for  mutiny  or  murder,  no 
person  subject  to  military  law  shall  be  liable  to  be 
tried  or  punished  by  a  court-martial  for  any  crime  or 
offense  committed  more  than  two  years  before  the  ar- 
raignment of  such  person :  Provided,  That  for  deser- 
tion in  time  of  peace  or  for  any  crime  or  offense  pun- 
ishable under  Articles  93  and  94  of  this  code 
the  period  of  limitations  upon  trial  arid  punishment 
by  court-martial  shall  be  three  years :  Provided  fur- 
ther, That  the  period  of  any  absence  of  the  accused 
from  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  and  also 
any  period  during  which  by  reason  of  some  manifest 
impediment  the  accused  shall  not  have  been  amenable 
to  military  justice,  shall  be  excluded  in  computing  the 
aforesaid  periods  of  limitation:  And  provided  fur- 
ther, That  this  article  shall  not  have  the  effect  to  au- 
thorize the  trial  or  punishment  for  any  crime  or  offense 
barred  by  the  provisions  of  existing  law. 

Art.  40.  As  to  Number. — No  person  shall  be  tried 
a  second  time  for  the  same  offense. 

Art.  41.  Certain  Punishments  Prohibited. — Punish- 


128  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

ment  by  flogging  or  by  branding,  marking,  or  tattooing 
on  the  body  is  prohibited. 

Art.  42.  Places  of  Confinement ;  When  Lawful. — Ex- 
cept for  desertion  in  time  of  war,  repeated  desertion 
in  time  of  peace,  and  mutiny,  no  person  shall  under 
the  sentence  of  a  court-martial  be  punished  by  confine- 
ment in  a  penitentiary  unless  an  act  or  omission  of 
which  he  is  convicted  is  recognized  as  an  offense  of  a 
civil  nature  by  some  statute  of  the  United  States,  or  at 
the  common  law  as  the  same  exists  in  the  District  of 
Columbia,  or  by  way  of  commutation  of  a  death  sen- 
tence, and  unless  also,  the  period  of  confinement  au- 
thorized and  adjudged  by  such  court-martial  is  one 
year  or  more:  Provided,  That  when  a  sentence  of 
confinement  is  adjudged  by  a  court-martial  upon  con- 
viction of  two  or  more  acts  or  omissions  any  one  of 
which  is  punishable  under  these  articles  by  confine- 
ment in  a  penitentiary,  the  entire  sentence  of  confine- 
ment may  be  executed  in  a  penitentiary :  Provided 
further,  That  penitentiary  confinement  hereby  author- 
ized may  be  served  in  any  penitentiary  directly  or  in- 
directly under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States: 
Provided  further,  That  persons  sentenced  to  dishonor- 
able discharge  and  to  confinement  not  in  a  penitentiary 
shall  be  confined  in  the  United  States  Disciplinary 
Barracks  or  elsewhere  as  the  Secretary  of  War  or  the 
reviewing  authority  may  driect,  but  not  in  a  penitentiary. 

Art.  43.  Death  Sentence;  When  Lawful. — No  per- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  129 

son  shall,  by  general  court-martial,  be  convicted  of  an 
offense  for  which  the  death  penalty  is  made  manda- 
tory by  law,  nor  sentenced  to  suffer  death,  except  by 
the  concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  of  said 
court-martial  and  for  an  offense  in  these  articles  ex- 
pressly made  punishable  by  death.  All  other  convic- 
tions and  sentences,  whether  by  general  or  special 
court-martial,  may  be  determined  by  a  majority  of  the 
members  present. 

Art.  46.  Approval  and  Execution  of  Sentence. — No 
sentence  of  a  court-martial  shall  be  carried  into  execu- 
tion until  the  same  shall  have  been  approved  by  the 
officer  appointing  the  court  or  by  the  officer  command- 
ing for  the  time  being. 

Art.  51.  Suspension  of  Sentences  of  Dismissal  or 
Death. — The  authority  competent  to  order  the  execu- 
tion of  a  sentence  of  dismissal  of  an  officer  or  of  a 
sentence  of  death  may  suspend  such  sentence  until 
the  pleasure  of  the  President  be  known,  and  in  case 
of  such  suspension  a  copy 'of  the  order  of  suspension, 
together  with  a  copy  of  the  record  of  the  trial,  shall 
immediately  be  transmitted  to  the  President. 

Art.  52.  Suspension  of  Sentences  of  Dishonorable 
Discharge. — The  authority  competent  to  order  the  exe- 
cution of  a  sentence,  including  dishonorable  discharge, 
may  suspend  the  execution  of  the  dishonorable  dis- 
charge until  the  soldier's  release  from  confinement; 
but  the  order  of  suspension  may  be  vacated  at  any 
9 


130  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

time  and  the  execution  of  the  dishonorable  discharge 
directed  by  the  officer  having  general  court-martial 
jurisdiction  over  the  command,  exclusive  of  peniten- 
tiaries and  the  United  States  Disciplinary  Barracks,  in 
which  the  soldier  is  held  or  by  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Art.  53.  Suspension  of  Sentences  of  Forfeiture  or 
Confinement. — The  authority  competent  to  the  exe- 
cution of  a  sentence  adjudged  by  a  court-martial  may, 
if  the  sentence  involve  neither  dismissal  nor  dishon- 
orable discharge,  suspend  the  execution  of  the  sentence 
in  so  far  as  it  relates  to  the  forfeiture  of  pay  or  to  con- 
finement, or  to  both;  and  the  person  under  sentence 
be  restored  to  duty  under  the  suspension  of  confine- 
ment. At  any  time  within  one  year  after  the  date  of 
the  order  of  suspension  such  order  may,  for  sufficient 
cause,  be  vacated  and  the  execution  of  the  sentence 
directed  by  the  military  authority  competent  to  order 
the  execution  of  like  sentences  in  the  command,  exclu- 
sive of  penitentiaries  and  the  United  States  Discipli- 
nary Barracks,  to  which  the  person  under  sentence  be- 
longs or  in  which  he  may  be  found;  but  if  the  order 
of  suspension  be  not  vacated  within  one  year  after 
the  date  thereof  the  suspended  sentence  shall  be  held  to 
have  been  remitted. 

Art.  54.  Fraudulent  Enlistment. — Any  person  who 
shall  procure  himself  to  be  enlisted  in  the  military  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States  by  means  of  willful  misrep- 
resentation or  concealment  as  to  his  qualifications  for 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  131 

enlistment,  and  shall  receive  pay  or  allowances  under 
such  enlistment,  shall  be  punished  as  a  court-martial 
may  direct. 

Art.  58.  Desertion. — Any  person  subject  to  military 
law  who  deserts  or  attempts  to  desert  the  service  of  the 
United  States  shall,  if  the  offense  be  committed  in  time 
of  war,  suffer  death  or  such  other  punishment  as  a  court- 
martial  may  direct,  arid,  if  the  offense  be  committed  at  any 
other  time,  any  punishment,  excepting  death,  that  a  court- 
martial  may  direct. 

Art.  59.  Advising  or  Aiding  Another  to  Desert. — 
Any  person  subject  to  military  law  who  advises  or 
persuades  or  knowingly  assists  another  to  desert  the 
military  service  of  the  United  States  shall,  if  the 
offense  be  committed  in  time  of  war,  suffer  death,  or 
such  other  punishment  as  a  court-martial  may  direct, 
and  if  the  offense  be  committed  at  any  other  time, 
any  punishment,  except  death,  that  a  court-martial 
may  direct. 

Art.  60.  Entertaining  a  Deserter. — Any  officer,  who 
after  having  discovered  that  a  soldier  in  his  command 
is  a  deserter  from  the  military  or  naval  service  or  from 
the  Marine  Corps,  retains  such  deserter  in  his  com- 
mand without  informing  superior  authority  or  the 
commander  of  the  organization  to  which  the  deserter 
belongs,  shall  be  punished  as  a  court-martial  may 
direct. 

Art.  61.  Absence  Without  Leave. — Any  person  sub- 


132  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

ject  to  military  law  who  fails  to  repair  at  the  fixed 
time  to  the  proper  appointed  place  of  duty,  or  goes 
from  the  same  without  proper  leave,  or  absents 
himself  from  his  command,  guard,  quarters,  station, 
or  camp  without  proper  leave  shall  be  punished  as  a 
court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  62.  Disrespect  Toward  the  President,  Vice- 
President,  Congress,  Secretary  of  War,  Governors, 
Legislatures. — Any  officer  who  uses  contemptuous  or 
disrespectful  words  against  the  President,  Vice-Presi- 
dent, the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  the  Secretary 
of  War,  or  the  governor  or  legislature  of  any  State, 
Territory,  or  other  possession  of  the  United  States  in 
which  he  is  quartered  shall  be  dismissed  from  the  ser- 
vice or  suffer  such  other  punishment  as  a  court-mar- 
tial may  direct.  Any  other  person  subject  to  military 
law  who  so  offends  shall  be  punished  as  a  court-martial 
may  direct. 

Art.  63.  Disrespect  Toward  Superior  Officer. — Any 
person  subject  to  military  law  who  behaves  himself 
with  disrespect  toward  his  superior  officer  shall  be 
punished  as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  64.  Assaulting  or  Willfully  Disobeying  Su- 
perior Officer. — Any  person  subject  to  military  law 
who,  on  any  pretense  whatsoever,  strikes  his  superior 
officer  or  draws  or  lifts  up  any  weapon  or  offers  any 
violence  against  him,  being  in  the  execution  of  his  of- 
fice, or  willfully  disobeys  any  lawful  command  of  his 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  133 

superior  officer,  shall  suffer  death  or  such  other  pun- 
ishment as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  65.  Insubordinate  Conduct  Toward  Non-com- 
missioned Officer. — Any  soldier  who  strikes  or  assaults 
or  who  attempts  or  threatens  to  strike  or  assault,  or 
willfully  disobeys  the  lawful  order  of  a  non-commis- 
sioned officer  while  in  the  execution  of  his  office,  or 
uses  threatening-  or  insulting  language,  or  behaves 
in  an  insubordinate  or  disrespectful  manner  toward  a 
non-commissioned  officer  while  in  the  execution  of  his 
office,  shall  be  punished  as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  66.  Mutiny  or  Sedition. — Any  person  subject 
to  military  law  who  attempts  to  create  or  who  begins, 
excites,  causes,  or  joins  in  any  mutiny  or  sedition  in 
any  company,  party,  post,  camp  detachment,  guard, 
or  other  command  shall  suffer  death  or  such  other 
punishment  as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  67.  Failure  to  Suppress  Mutiny  or  Sedition. — 
Any  officer  or  soldier  who,  being  present  at  any  mu- 
tiny or  sedition,  does  not  use  his  utmost  endeavor  to 
suppress  the  same,  or  knowing  or  having  reason  to 
believe  that  a  mutiny  or  sedition  is  to  take  place,  does 
not  without  delay  give  information  thereof  to  his  com- 
manding officer  shall  suffer  death  or  such  other  pun- 
ishment as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  68.  Quarrels;  Frays;  Disorders. — All  officers 
and  non-commissioned  officers  have  power  to  part  and 
quell  all  quarrels,  frays  and  disorders  among  persons 


134  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

subject  to  military  law  and  to  order  officers  who  take 
part  in  them  into  arrest,  and  other  persons  subject  to 
military  law  who  take  part  in  the  same  into  arrest  or 
confinement,  as  circumstances  may  require,  until  their 
proper  superior  officer  is  acquainted  therewith.  And 
whosoever,  being  so  ordered,  refuses  to  obey  such  of- 
ficer or  non-commissioned  officer  or  draws  a  weapon 
upon  or  otherwise  threatens  or  does  violence  to  him 
shall  be  punished  as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  69.  Arrest  or  Confinement  of  Accused  Persons. 
— An  officer  charged  with  crime  or  with  a  serious  of- 
fense under  these  articles  shall  be  placed  in  arrest  by 
the  commanding  officer,  and  in  exceptional  cases  an 
officer  so  charged  may  be  placed  in  confinement  by  the 
same  authority.  A  soldier  charged  with  crime  or  with 
a  serious  offense  under  these  articles  shall  be  placed 
in  confinement  and  when  charged  with  a  minor  offense 
he  may  be  placed  in  arrest.  Any  other  person  subject 
to  military  law  charged  with  crime  or  with  a  serious 
offense  under  these  articles  shall  be  placed  in  confine- 
ment or  in  arrest,  as  circumstances  may  require ;  and 
when  charged  with  a  minor  offense  such  person  may 
be  placed  in  arrest.  Any  person  placed  in  arrest  under 
the  provisions  of  this  article  shall  thereby  be  restricted 
to  his  barracks,  quarters  or  tent,  unless  such  limits 
shall  be  enlarged  by  proper  authority.  Any  officer 
who  breaks  his  arrest  or  who  escapes  from  confinement 
before  he  is  set  at  liberty  by  proper  authority  shall  be 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  135 

dismissed  from  the  service  or  suffer  such  other  pun- 
ishment as  a  court-martial  may  direct;  and  any  other 
person  subject  to  military  law  who  escapes  from  con- 
finement or  who  breaks  his  arrest  before  he  is  set  at 
liberty  by  proper  authority  shall  be  punished  as  a 
court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  70.  Investigation  Of  and  Action  Upon  Charges. 
— No  person  put  in  arrest  shall  be  continued  in  confine- 
ment more  than  eight  days,  or  until  such  time  as  a 
court-martial  can  be  assembled.  When  any  person  is 
put  in  arrest  for  the  purpose  of  trial,  except  at  remote 
military  posts  or  stations,  the  officer  by  whose  order 
he  is  arrested  shall  see  that  a  copy  of  the  charges  on 
which  he  is  to  be  tried  is  served  upon  him  within  eight 
days  after  his  arrest,  and  that  he  is  brought  to  trial 
within  ten  days  thereafter,  unless  the  necessities  of  the 
service  prevent  such  a  trial;  and  then  he  shall  be 
brought  to  trial  within  thirty  days  after  the  expiration 
of  said  ten  days.  If  a  copy  of  the  charges  be  not  served 
or  the  arrested  person  be  not  brought  to  trial,  as  herein 
required,  the  arrest  shall  cease.  But  persons  released 
from  arrest,  under  provisions  of  this  article,  may  be 
tried,  whenever  the  exigencies  of  the  service  shall 
permit,  within  twelve  months  after  such  release  from 
arrest:  Provided,  That  in  time  of  peace  no  person 
shall,  against  his  objections,  be  brought  to  trial  before 
a  general  court-martial  within  a  period  of  five  days 
subsequent  to  the  service  of  charges  upon  him. 


136  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

Art.  73.  Releasing  Prisoner  Without  Proper  Au- 
thority.— Any  person  subject  to  military  law  who, 
without  proper  authority,  releases  any  prisoner  duly 
committed  to  his  charge,  or  who  through  neglect  or 
design  suffers  any  prisoner  so  committed  to  escape, 
shall  be  punished  as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  75.  Misbehavior  Before  the  Enemy. — Any  offi- 
cer or  soldier  who  misbehaves  himself  before  the 
enemy,  runs  away,  or  shamefully  abandons  or  delivers 
up  any  fort,  post,  camp,  guard  or  other  command 
which  it  is  his  duty  to  defend,  or  speaks  words  induc- 
ing others  to  do  the  like,  or  casts  away  his  arms  or 
ammunition,  or  quits  his  post  or  colors  to  plunder  or 
pillage,  or  by  any  means  whatsoever  occasions  false 
alarms  in  camp,  garrison  or  quarters,  shall  suffer  death 
or  such  other  punishment  as  a  court-martial  may 
direct. 

Art.  76.  Subordinates  Compelling  Commander  to 
Surrender. — If  any  commander  of  any  garrison,  fort, 
post,  camp,  guard  or  other  command  is  compelled,  by 
the  officers  or  soldiers  under  his  command,  to  give  it 
up  to  the  enemy  or  to  abandon  it,  the  officers  or  sol- 
diers so  offending  shall  suffer  death  or  such  other  pun- 
ishment as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  77.  Improper  Use  of  Countersign. — Any  person 
subject  to  military  law  who  makes  known  the  parole 
or  countersign  to  any  person  not  entitled  to  receive  it 
according  to  the  rules  and  discipline  of  war,  or  gives 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  137 

a  parole  or  countersign  different  from  that  which  he 
receives,  shall,  if  the  offense  be  committed  in  time  of 
war,  suffer  death  or  such  other  punishment  as  a  court- 
martial  may  direct. 

Art.  78.  Forcing  a  Safeguard. — Any  person  subject 
to  military  law  who,  in  time  of  war,  forces  a  safeguard 
shall  suffer  death  or  such  other  punishment  as  a  court- 
martial  may  direct. 

Art.  79.  Captured  Property  to  be  Secured  for  Public 
Service. — All  public  property  taken  from  the  enemy  is 
the  property  of  the  United  States,  and  shall  be  secured 
for  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  any  person 
subject  to  military  law  who  neglects  to  secure  such  prop- 
erty or  is  guilty  of  wrongful  appropriation  thereof  shall 
be  punished  as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  80.  Dealing  in  Captured  or  Abandoned  Prop- 
erty.— Any  person  subject  to  military  law  who  buys, 
sells,  trades,  or  in  any  way  deals  in  or  disposes  of  cap- 
tured or  abandoned  property,  whereby  he  shall  receive 
or  expect  any  profit,  benefit,  or  advantage  to  himself 
or  to  any  other  person  directly  or  indirectly  connected 
with  himself,  or  who  fails  whenever  such  property 
comes  into  his  possession  or  custody  or  within  his  con- 
trol to  give  notice  thereof  to  the  proper  authority  and 
to  turn  over  such  property  to  the  proper  authority  with- 
out delay,  shall,  on  conviction  thereof,  be  punished 
by  fine  or  imprisonment,  or  by  such  other  punishment  as 
a  court-martial,  military  commission,  or  other  military 


138  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

tribunal  may  adjudge,  or  by  any  or  all  of  said 
penalties. 

Art.  81.  Relieving,  Corresponding  With,  or  Aiding 
the  Enemy. — (Whosoever  relieves  the  enemy  with 
arms,  ammunition,  supplies,  money,  or  other  thing, 
or  knowingly  harbors  or  protects  or  holds  correspond- 
ence with  or  gives  intelligence  to  the  enemy,  either 
directly  or  indirectly,  shall  suffer  death  or  such  other 
punishment  as  a  court-martial  or  military  commission 
may  direct. 

Art.  82.  Spies. — Any  person  who  in  time  of  war  shall 
be  found  lurking  or  acting  as  a  spy  in  or  about  any  of 
the  fortifications,  posts,  quarters  or  encampments  of 
any  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  or  elsewhere, 
shall  be  tried  by  a  general  court-martial  or  by  a  mili- 
tary commission,  and  shall,  on  conviction  thereof,  suf- 
fer death. 

Art.  83.  Military  Property;  Willful  or  Negligent 
Loss,  Damage  or  Wrongful  Disposition. — Any  person 
subject  to  military  law  who  willfully,  or  through  neg- 
lect, suffers  to  be  lost,  spoiled,  damaged,  or  wrongfully 
disposed  of,  any  military  property  belonging  to  the 
United  States  shall  make  good  the  loss  or  damage  and 
suffer  such  punishment  as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  84.  Waste  or  Unlawful  Disposition  of  Military 
Property  Issued  to  Soldiers. — Any  soldier  who  sells  or 
wrongfully  disposes  of  or  willfully  or  through  neglect 
injures  or  loses  any  horse,  arms,  ammunition,  accoutre- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  139 

ments,  equipment,  clothing  or  other  property  issued 
for  use  in  the  military  service,  shall  be  punished  as  a 
court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  85.  Drunk  on  Duty. — Any  officer  who  is  found 
drunk  on  duty  shall,  if  the  offense  be  committed  in  time 
of  war,  be  dismissed  from  the  service  and  suffer  such 
other  punishment  as  a  court-martial  may  direct;  and 
if  the  offense  be  committed  in  time  of  peace,  he  shall 
be  punished  as  a  court-martial  may  direct.  Any  per- 
son subject  to  military  law,  except  an  officer,  who  is 
found  drunk  on  duty  shall  be  punished  as  a  court- 
martial  may  direct. 

Art.  86.  Misbehavior  of  Sentinel. — Any  sentinel  who 
is  found  drunk  or  sleeping  upon  his  post,  or  who  leaves 
it  before  he  is  regularly  relieved,  shall,  if  the  offense 
be  committed  in  time  of  war,  suffer  death  or  such 
other  punishment  as  a  court-martial  may  direct;  and 
if  the  offense  be  committed  in  time  of  peace,  he  shall 
suffer  any  punishment,  except  death,  that  a  court- 
martial  may  direct. 

Art.  87.  Personal  Interest  in  Sale  of  Provisions. — 
Any  officer  commanding  in  any  garrison,  fort,  bar- 
racks, camp,  or  other  place  where  troops  of  the  United 
States  may  be  serving,  who,  for  his  private  advantage, 
lays  any  duty  or  imposition  upon  or  is  interested  in  the 
sale  of  any  victuals  or  other  necessaries  of  life  brought 
into  such  garrison,  fort,  barracks,  camp,  or  other  place 
for  the  use  of  the  troops,  shall  be  dismissed  from  the 


140  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

service  and  suffer  such  other  punishment  as  a  court- 
martial  may  direct. 

Art.  88.  Intimidation  of  Persons  Bringing  Provi- 
sions.— Any  person  subject  to  military  law  who  abuses, 
intimidates,  does  violence  to,  or  wrongfully  interferes 
with  any  person  bringing  provisions,  supplies,  or  other 
necessaries  to  the  camp,  garrison,  or  quarters  of  the 
forces  of  the  United  States  shall  suffer  such  punish- 
ment as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  89.  Good  Order  to  be  Maintained  and  Wrongs 
Redressed. — All  persons  subject  to  military  law  are  to 
behave  themselves  orderly  in  quarters,  garrison,  camp, 
and  on  the  march;  and  any  person  subject  to  military 
law  who  commits  any  waste  or  spoil,  or  willfully  de- 
stroys any  property  whatsoever  (unless  by  order  of  his 
commanding  officer),  or  commits  any  kind  of  dep- 
redation or  riot,  shall  be  punished  as  a  court-martial 
may  direct.  Any  commanding  officer,  who,  upon  com- 
plaint made  to  him,  refuses  or  omits  to  see  reparation 
made  to  the  party  injured,  in  so  far  as  the  offender's 
pay  shall  go  toward  such  reparation,  as  provided  for 
in  Article  105,  shall  be  dismissed  from  the  service,  or 
otherwise  punished,  as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  90.  Provoking  Speeches  or  Gestures. — No  per- 
son subject  to  military  law  shall  use  any  reproachful 
or  provoking  speeches  or  gestures  to  another;  and 
any  person  subject  to  military  law  who  offends  against 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  141 

the  provisions  of  this  article  shall  be  punished  as  a 
court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  91.  Duelling. — Any  person  subject  to  military 
law  who  fights  or  promotes  or  is  concerned  in  or  con- 
nives at  fighting  a  duel,  or  who  having  knowledge  of 
a  challenge  sent  or  about  to  be  sent  fails  to  report  the 
fact  promptly  to  the  proper  authority  shall,  if  an  offi- 
cer, be  dismissed  from  the  service  or  suffer  such  other 
punishment  as  a  court-martial  may  direct ;  and  if  any 
other  person  subject  to  military  law,  shall  suffer  such 
punishment  as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  92.  Murder;  Rape. — Any  person  subject  to  mili- 
tary law  who  commits  murder  or  rape  shall  suffer  death 
or  imprisonment  for  life,  as  a  court-martial  may  direct; 
but  no  person  shall  be  tried  by  court-martial  for  mur- 
der or  rape  committed  within  the  geographical  limits 
of  the  States  of  the  Union  and  the  District  of  Columbia 
in  time  of  peace. 

Art.  93.  Various  Crimes. — Any  person  subject  to 
military  law  who  commits  manslaughter,  mayhem, 
arson,  burglary,  robbery,  larceny,  embezzlement,  per- 
jury, assault  with  intent  to  commit  any  felony,  or  as- 
sault with  intent  to  do  bodily  harm,,  shall  be  punished 
as  a  court-martial  may  direct. 

Art.  94.  Frauds  Against  the  Government. — Any  per- 
son subject  to  military  law  who  makes  or  causes  to  be 
made  any  claim  against  the  United  States  or  any  offi- 


142  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

cer  thereof,  knowing  such  claim  to  be  false  or  fraudu- 
lent; or 

Who  presents  or  causes  to  be  presented  to  any  per- 
son in  the  civil  or  military  service  thereof,  for  approval 
or  payment,  any  claim  against  the  United  States,  or 
any  officer  thereof,  knowing  such  claim  to  be  false  or 
fraudulent ;  or 

Who  enters  into  any  agreement  or  conspiracy  to 
defraud  the  United  States  by  obtaining,  or  aiding 
others  to  obtain,  the  allowance  or  payment  of  any 
false  or  fraudulent  claim ;  or 

Who,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining,  or  aiding  others 
to  obtain,  the  approval,  allowance,  or  payment  of  any 
claim  against  the  United  States  or  against  any  officer 
thereof,  makes  or  uses,  or  procures,  or  advises  the 
making  or  use  of,  any  writing  or  other  paper,  knowing 
the  same  to  contain  any  false  or  fraudulent  statements ; 
or 

Who,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining,  or  aiding  others 
to  obtain,  the  approval,  allowance,  or  payment  of  any 
claim  against  the  United  States  or  any  officer  thereof, 
makes,  or  procures,  or  advises  the  making  of,  any  oath 
to  any  fact  or  to  any  writing  or  other  paper,  knowing 
such  oath  to  be  false;  or 

Who,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining,  or  aiding  others 
to  obtain,  the  approval,  allowance,  or  payment  of  any 
claim  against  the  United  States  or  any  officer  thereof, 
forges  or  counterfeits,  or  procures,  or  advises  the  forg- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  143 

ing  or  counterfeiting  of  any  signature  upon  any  writ- 
ing or  other  paper,  or  uses,  or  procures,  or  advises  the 
use  of  any  such  signature,  knowing  the  same  to  be 
forged  or  counterfeited ;  or 

Who,  having  charge,  possession,  custody,  or  control 
of  any  money  or  other  property  of  the  United  States, 
furnished  or  intended  for  the  military  service  thereof, 
knowingly  delivers,  or  causes  to  be  delivered,  to  any 
person  having  authority  to  receive  the  same,  any 
amount  thereof  less  than  that  for  which  he  receives  a 
certificate  or  receipt ;  or 

Who,  being,  authorized  to  make  or  deliver  any  paper 
certifying  the  receipt  of  any  property  of  the  United 
States  furnished  or  intended  for  the  military  service 
thereof,  makes  or  delivers  to  any  person  such  writing, 
without  having  full  knowledge  of  the  truth  of  the  state- 
ments therein  contained  and  with  intent  to  defraud 
the  United  States ;  or 

Who  steals,  embezzles,  knowingly  and  willfully  mis- 
appropriates, applies  to  his  own  use  or  benefit,  or 
wrongfully  or  knowingly  sells  or  disposes  of  any  ord- 
nance, arms,  equipment,  ammunition,  clothing,  sub- 
sistence stores,  money,  or  other  property  of  the  United 
States  furnished  or  intended  for  the  military  service 
thereof;  or 

Who  knowingly  purchases  or  receives  in  pledge  for 
any  obligation  or  indebtedness  from  any  soldier,  offi- 
cer, or  other  person  who  is  a  part  of  or  employed  in 


144  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

said  forces  or  service,  any  ordnance,  arms,  equipment, 
ammunition,  clothing,  subsistence  stores,  or  other  prop- 
erty of  the  United  States,  such  soldier,  officer,  or  other 
person  not  having  lawful  right  to  sell  or  pledge  the 
same; 

Shall,  on  conviction  thereof,  be  punished  by  fine  or 
imprisonment,  or  by  such  other  punishment  as  a  court- 
martial  may  adjudge,  or  by  any  or  all  of  said  penalties. 
And  if  any  person,  being  guilty  of  any  of  the  offenses 
aforesaid  while  in  the  military  service  of  the  United 
States,  receives  his  discharge  or  is  dismissed  from  the 
service,  he  shall  continue  to  be  liable  to  be  arrested  and 
held  for  trial  and  sentence  by  a  court-martial  in  the 
same  manner  and  to  the  same  extent  as  if  he  had  not 
received  such  discharge  nor  been  dismissed. 

Art.  96.  General  Article. — Though  not  mentioned  in 
these  articles,  all  disorders  and  neglects  to  the  preju- 
dice of  good  order  and  military  discipline,  all  conduct 
of  a  nature  to  bring  discredit  upon  the  military  service, 
and  all  crimes  and  offenses  not  capital,  of  which  per- 
sons subject  to  military  law  may  be  guilty  shall  be 
taken  cognizance  of  by  a  general  or  special  or  sum- 
mary court-martial  according  to  the  nature  and  degree 
of  the  offense,  and  punished  at  the  discretion  of  the 
court. 

Art.  97.  When  and  by  Whom  Ordered. — A  court  of 
inquiry  to  examine  into  the  nature  of  any  transaction 
of  or  accusation  or  imputation  against  any  officer  or 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  145 

soldier  may  be  ordered  by  the  President  or  by  any  com- 
manding officer ;  but  a  court  of  inquiry  shall  not  be  or- 
dered by  any  commanding  officer  except  upon  the  re- 
quest of  the  officer  or  soldier  whose  conduct  is  to  be 
inquired  into. 

Art.  104.  Disciplinary  Powers  of  Commanding  Offi- 
cers.— Under  such  regulations  as  the  President  may 
prescribe,  and  which  he  may  from  time  to  time  revoke, 
alter,  or  add  to,  the  commanding  officer  of  any  detach- 
ment, company,  or  higher  command  may,  for  minor 
offenses  not  denied  by  the  accused,  impose  disciplinary 
punishments  upon  persons  of  his  command  without  the 
intervention  of  a  court-martial,  unless  the  accused  de- 
mands trial  by  court-martial. 

The  disciplinary  punishments  authorized  by  this 
article  may  include  admonition,  reprimand,  withhold- 
ing of  privileges,  extra  fatigue,  and  restriction  to  cer- 
tain specified  limits,  but  shall  not  include  forfeiture 
of  pay  or  confinement  under  guard.  A  person  punished 
under  authority  of  this  article,  who  deems  his  punish- 
ment unjust  or  disproportionate  to  the  offense,  may, 
through  the  proper  channel,  appeal  to  the  next  superior 
authority,  but  may  in  the  meantime  be  required  to 
undergo  the  punishment  adjudged.  The  commanding 
officer  who  imposes  the  punishment,  his  successor  in 
command,  and  superior  authority  shall  have  power  to 
mitigate  or  remit  any  unexecuted  portion  of  the  pun- 
ishment. The  imposition  and  enforcement  of  disci- 
10 


146  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

plinary  punishment  under  authority  of  this  article  for 
any  act  or  omission  shall  not  be  a  bar  to  trial  by  court- 
martial  for  a  crime  or  offense  growing  out  of  the  same 
act  or  omission;  but  the  fact  that  a  disciplinary  pun- 
ishment has  been  enforced  may  be  shown  by  the  ac- 
cused upon  trial,  and  when  so  shown  shall  be  consid- 
ered in  determining  the  measure  of  punishment  to  be 
adjudged  in  the  event  of  a  finding  of  guilty. 

Art.  106.  Arrest  of  Deserters  by  Civil  Officials. — It 
shall  be  lawful  for  any  civil  officer  having  authority 
under  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  or  of  any  State, 
Territory,  District,  or  possession  of  the  United  States, 
to  arrest  offenders,  summarily  to  arrest  a  deserter  from 
the  military  service  of  the  United  States  and  deliver 
him  into  the  custody  of  the  military  authorities  of  the 
United  States. 

Art.  107.  Soldiers  to  Make  Good  Time  Lost. — Every 
soldier  who  in  an  existing  or  subsequent  enlistment 
deserts  the  service  of  the  United  States  or  without 
proper  authority  absents  himself  from  his  organization, 
station,  or  duty,  for  more  than  one  day,  or  who  is  con- 
fined for  more  than  one  day  under  sentence,  or  while 
awaiting  trial  and  disposition  of  his  case,  if  the  trial 
results  in  conviction,  or  through  the  intemperate  use  of 
drugs  or  alcoholic  liquor,  or  through  disease  or  injury 
the  result  of  his  own  misconduct,  renders  himself  un- 
able for  more  than  one  day  to  perform  duty,  shall  be 
liable  to  serve,  after  his  return  to  a  full-duty  status, 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  147 

for  such  period  as  shall,  with  the  time  he  may  have 
served  prior  to  such  desertion,  unauthorized  absence, 
confinement,  or  inability  to  perform  duty,  amount  to 
the  full  term  of  that  part  of  his  enlistment  period  which 
he  is  required  to  serve  with  his  organization  before 
being  furloughed  to  the  Army  reserve. 

Art.  111.  Copy  of  Record  of  Trial. — Every  person 
tried  by  a  general  court-martial  shall,  on  demand  there- 
for, made  by  himself  or  by  any  person  in  his  behalf,  be 
entitled  to  a  copy  of  the  record  of  the  trial. 

Art.  121.  Complaint  of  Wrongs. — Any  officer  or  sol- 
dier who  believes  himself  wronged  by  his  command- 
ing officer,  and,  upon  due  application  to  such  com- 
mander, is  refused  redress,  may  complain  to  the  gen- 
eral commanding  in  the  locality  where  the  officer 
against  whom  the  complaint  is  made  is  stationed.  The 
general  shall  examine  into  said  complaint  and  take 
proper  measures  for  redressing  the  wrong  complained 
of;  and  he  shall,  as  soon  as  possible,  transmit  to  the 
Department  of  War  a  true  statement  of  such  complaint, 
with  the  proceedings  had  thereon. 

XXX.  DEFINITIONS. 

ABATIS  consists  of  trees  lying  parallel  to  each  other 
with  branches  sharpened  pointed  in  general  direc- 
tion of  approach  and  interlaced ;  twigs  and  small 
leaves  trimmed  off. 


148  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

ACCIDENTAL  COVER  includes  accidents  of  terraii 
not  of  natural  origin,  which  can  be  used  to  advantage 
as  cover  from  view  and  fire.  Such  are  walls,  fences, 
buildings,  ditches,  embankments,  cuttings,  etc. 

ALIGNMENT  is  a  straight  line  upon  which  several 
elements  are  formed,  or  are  to  be  formed;  or  the 
dressing  of  several  elements  upon  a  straight  line. 

APPROACHES  or  zig-zag  trenches  are  roadways  or 
trenches  affording  communication  between  advanced 
trenches  and  the  rear;  there  should  be  at  least  3 — 
right,  left  and  center. 

BANQUETTE  is  a  tread  next  to  interior  slope  and 
above  trench. 

BARRAGE  is  a  curtain  of  artillery  fire. 

BARRICADES  are  barriers  hastily  built  of  objects 
nearest  at  hand  (stone,  timber,  furniture,  brick,  etc.) 
to  obstruct  the  passage  of  a  street  and  to  afford  a 
breastwork  for  defenders. 

BASE  is  the  element  upon  which  a  movement  is 
regulated. 

BASE,  NAVAL,  is  a  port  available  to  naval  vessels  so 
using  it,  to  afford  shelter,  repairs,  supplies  and 
reenforcement. 

BASE  OF  OPERATIONS  is  a  geographical  point  used 
for  training,  supply,  reenforcement,  repairs,  etc. 

BATTLE  SIGHT:  The  position  of  the  rear  sight 
when  the  leaf  is  laid  down.  The  relative  range  of 
the  rifle  when  set  with  battle  sight  is  530  yds, 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  149 

BEATEN  ZONE:  The  intersection  of  cone  of  disper- 
sion with  surface  on  which  objective  of  fire  stands, 
or  space  on  ground  in  which  bullets  strike,  in  a  series 
of  shots  fired  by  a  body  of  soldiers  with  same  aiming 
point  and  same  rear  sight  setting. 

BERM :    Tread  between  ditch  or  trench  and  parapet. 

BILLET:  To  assign  soldiers  quarters  in  a  private 
house. 

BIVOUAC:  A  temporary  encampment  of  soldiers 
without  tents,  usually  for  one  night  only. 

BLOCKHOUSE :  A  small  room  or  house  with  bullet- 
proof walls  loopholed  for  infantry,  often  for  machine 
guns,  and  sometimes  for  light  quick-firing  guns. 

BORE:    The  cylindrical  cavity  in  small-arms  barrel. 

BRUN  SPIRALS:  Two  coils  of  strong  smooth  wire 
wound  in  opposite  directions  to  5  feet  diameter;  op- 
posite coils  fastened  to  each  other  at  4  or  5  points 
around  circumference,  so  that  if  one  end  is  staked  to 
ground  and  other  end  pulled,  a  double  spiral  will  be 
formed.  Under  bombardment  the  tendency  of  these 
spirals  is  to  tangle  and  become  more  intricate. 

BRUSH  WORK:  Brush  used  in  revetting;  best  is 
birch,  willow,  ash,  hickory,  hazel.  For  weaving  it 
must  be  live  and  is  most  pliable  when  not  in  leaf. 

BUTT:  Embankment  or  other  means  used  to  stop 
bullets  in  rear  of  target.  Plural  used  to  designate 
collectively  the  parapet,  pit,  and  back  stop  of  a  group 
of  targets. 


150  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

CALIBER:  Interior  diameter  of  small-arms  barrel, 
measured  between  lands. 

CANT :  To  revolve  barrel  of  piece  on  its  axis  to  right 
or  left  while  firing  or  aiming. 

CANTONMENT:  Group  of  lodgings  where  troops 
rest,  are  subsisted,  and  are  trained. 

CAPONIER:    See  Tambour. 

CHEVAUX-DE-FRISE:  An  obstacle  made  of 
sharpened  sticks  or  spikes  placed  X-shape  upon  a 
beam  to  obstruct  passage  of  troops.  Usually  placed 
on  land  but  sometimes  in  shallow  water  of  a  beach 
where  enemy  troops  may  land. 

CLOSE  ORDER:    See  Order. 

COHESION:  A  term  applied  to  a  unit  of  troops  to 
indicate  that  they  are  disciplined :  that  they  are  cap- 
able of  unity  of  action  in  response  to  the  will  of  the 
commander. 

COLOR:  Implies  National  Flag;  it  includes  regimen- 
tal color  when  both  are  present. 

COMMAND:    A  unit  under  the  control  of  a  military 

commander. 

Command :  Has  reference  to  difference  of  elevation : 
a  higher  point  commands  a  lower  point  within 
range. 

Command:  Height  of  parapet,  or  elevation  of  in- 
terior crest  above  plane  of  sight. 

COMMUNICATING  TRENCH:  Trenches  forming 
passageways  toward  the  enemy. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  151 

CONE  OF  DISPERSION:  Figure  formed  in  space 
by  trajectories  considered  together  of  a  series  of  shots 
fired  by  a  body  of  soldiers  at  a  common  objective 
with  same  rear-sight  setting. 

COSSACK  POST:  Consists  of  4  men  as  an  observa- 
tion group  similar  to  sentry  squad  but  employing 
a  single  sentinel  at  a  time. 

COUPURE:  (1)  Entrenchment  made  behind  a 
breach.  (2)  Passage  cut  through  glacis  of  reenter- 
ing  angles  of  a  covered  way  to  facilitate  sallies. 

COUNTERSCARP :    Side  of  ditch  toward  enemy. 

COVER:  Protection  from  fire  or  view.  Horizontal 
cover  gives  protection  against  direct  or  horizontal 
fire.  Overhead  cover,  protection  against  indirect  or 
high-angle  fire  and  fragments  of  shells  and  shrapnel 
bursting  overhead.  Overhead  covers  often  referred 
to  as  bombproofs  or  splinter-proofs — the  latter,  if 
they  are  light,  proof  against  rifle  fire  or  fragments  of 
shell  or  shrapnel;  the  former,  if  strong  enough  to 
resist  curved  fire  and  vertical  fire  of  siege  guns  and 
mortars.  Splinter-proof  also  applied  to  horizontal 
cover  thick  enough  to  stop  fragments  of  shell  or 
shrapnel. 

CRESTS:  (1)  Exterior  crest  is  contour  where  exterior 
and  superior  slopes  meet.  (2)  Interior  crest  is  meet- 
ing of  superior  and  interior  slopes.  (3)  Topographi- 
cal crest  is  highest  contour  of  a  slope.  (4)  Military 
crest  is  contour  from  which  all  ground  in  front  can 
be  seen  and  reached  by  fire. 


152  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

DANGER  SPACE :  Sum  of  distances  in  path  of  bullet 
in  which  an  object  of  a  given  height  will  be  struck. 
At  long  ranges,  space  at  farther  end  of  range  alone  is 
considered. 

DEAD  SPACE:  Space  in  front  of  a  salient  of  less 
than  120  degrees  that  cannot  be  reached  by  fire  from 
faces  of  salient. 

DEFILADE:  Obstacle  either  natural  or  artificial  of 
sufficient  thickness  to  intercept  projectiles  and  af- 
ford shelter  from  fire  delivered  from  a  given  point. 

DELIBERATE  INTRENCHMENTS  comprise  works 
constructed  by  troops  not  in  line  of  battle  for  the 
protection  of  depots,  lines  of  communication,  supply, 
retreat,  etc.  More  carefully  designed  than  hasty 
intrenchments  and  have  greater  defense  strength. 

DEMOLITIONS:  The  act  of  destroying  or  making 
unserviceable  any  object  in  the  theater  of  war,  the 
preservation  of  which  would  be  unfavorable  to  our 
army  or  favorable  to  enemy. 

DEPLOY:  To  extend  front.  In  general,  to  change 
from  column  to  line  or  from  close  order  to  extended 
order. 

DEPTH:  Space  from  head  to  rear  of  any  formation, 
including  leading  and  rear  elements.  Depth  of  a  man 
is  12  inches. 

DISK,  MARKING:  A  staff,  with  disk  at  each  end, 
used  by  the  marker  in  the  rifle  pit  in  signalling  re- 
sults of  hits  on  target. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  153 

DISTANCE:  Space  between  elements  in  direction 
of  depth.  Distance  is  measured  from  back  of  the 
man  in  front  to  breast  of  man  in  rear.  Between 
ranks  is  40  inches. 

DRIFT :  Lateral  deviation  of  bullet  caused  by  resist- 
ance of  the  air  and  rotation  of  bullet  on  its  longer 
axis. 

ECHELON:  An  arrangement  of  troops  in  the  form 
of  steps,  each  division  being  parallel  with  the  others 
but  not  in  same  alignment.  Also,  term  applied  to 
different  lines  of  an  attack. 

ELEMENT:  File,  squad,  platoon,  company,  or  larger 
body,  forming  part  of  a  still  larger  body. 

EMPLACEMENT:  Position  assigned  to  guns  or  the 
foundation  for  same. 

ENFILE:  A  position  or  line  is  said  to  be  enfiladed 
when  subjected  to  fire  from  a  position  in  prolonga- 
tion of  such  line,  and  such  fire  is  enfilade. 

ENTANGLEMENT:    See  Wire  entanglement. 

EXPERT  PISTOL  SHOT :  Highest  classification  for 
skill  in  pistol  practice. 

EXPERT  RIFLEMAN:  Highest  classification  for 
skill  in  record  range  practice  with  rifle. 

EXPLOITATION  OF  THE  SUCCESS:  Term  ap- 
plied to  that  feature  of  the  attack  wherein  troops, 
previously  detailed,  pass  over  the  assaulting  troops  to 
continue  the  attack  and  make  the  most  of  what  has 
been  gained  by  the  first  assault. 


154  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

EXTENDED  ORDER:    See  Order. 

FASCINES:  Cylindrical  bundle  of  brush  closely 
bound.  Usual  length  18  feet,  diameter  9  inches  com- 
pressed. Fascines  are  used  in  revetting. 

FIELD  FORTIFICATION  divided  into  hasty  in- 
trenchments,  deliberate  intrenchments,  and  siege 
works. 

FILE :  Two  men,  the  front-rank  man  and  correspond- 
ing man  of  rear  rank.  Front-rank  man  is  file  leader. 
File  which  has  no  rear-rank  man  is  a  blank  file.  The 
term  file  applies  also  to  a  single  man  in  a  single-rank 
formation. 

FILE  CLOSERS:  Such  officers  and  non-commis- 
sioned officers  of  a  company  as  are  posted  in  rear  of 
the  line.  For  convenience,  term  is  applied  to  all 
men  posted  in  line  of  file  closers. 

FIRE  AT  WILL :  That  class  of  fire  in  which,  within 
restrictions  of  the  command  for  firing,  individuals 
deliver  their  fire  independently  of  the  commander 
and  of  each  other. 

FIRE  CONTROL:  Or  conduct  of  fire,  is  the  exer- 
cise by  a  commander,  over  his  unit  or  units,  of  that 
power  which  enables  him  to  regulate  the  fire  in 
obedience  to  his  will.  It  pertains  especially  to  the 
technicalities  immediately  involved  in  delivery  of 
fire. 

FIRE  DIRECTION :  Or  employment  of  fire,  is  a  gen- 
eral term  embracing  the  various  steps,  including  tac- 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  155 

tical  disposition,  which  enables  commander  of  one  or 
more  fire  units  to  bring  an  effective  fire  to  bear  upon 
the  desired  target  at  the  proper  time.  It  pertains 
especially  to  preparation  of  fire. 

FIRE  DISCIPLINE :  Is  that  condition  of  the  person- 
nel of  a  fire  unit,  resulting  from  training  and  prac- 
tise, which  enables  the  commander  to  obtain  an 
orderly  and  efficient  delivery  of  fire.  It  implies,  be- 
sides, a  habit  of  obedience,  a  control  of  the  rifle  by 
the  soldier,  the  result  of  training,  which  will  enable 
him  in  action  to  make  hits  instead  of  misses.  It 
embraces  taking  advantage  of  the  ground;  care  in 
setting  the  sights,  and  care  in  delivery  of  fire;  con- 
stant attention  to  the  orders  of  the  leaders  and  care- 
ful observation  of  the  enemy;  an  increase  of  fire 
when  target  is  favorable  and  a  cessation  of  fire  when 
enemy  disappears;  economy  of  ammunition.  Fire 
discipline  permits  concentration  of  fire  and  secures 
surprises. 

FLANK:  The  right  or  left  of  a  command  in  line  or 
column;  also  the  element  on  the  right  or  left  of  a 
line. 

FOUGASSE:  A  land  mine  whose  crater  is  dug  in- 
clined toward  the  enemy  with  an  axis  of  about  45 
degrees. 

FRAISE:  A  palisade  horizontal,  or  nearly  so,  pro- 
jecting from  the  scarp  or  counterscarp  of  an  intrench- 
ment. 


156  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

FRONT:  The  space,  in  width,  occupied  by  an  ele- 
ment, either  in  line  or  column.  The  front  of  a  man 
is  assumed  to  be  22  inches.  Front  also  denotes  direc- 
tion of  the  enemy. 

FUSILIERS :    Riflemen. 

GABION :  A  cylindrical  basket  with  open  ends  made 
of  brush  woven  on  pickets  or  stakes.  Usual 
size  2  feet  outside  diameter;  33  inches  height  of 
wattling. 

GALLERY:  Horizontal  underground  communica- 
tions. Great  or  Grand  Galleries  are  6  feet  high  by 
7  feet  wide;  Common  Galleries,  6  feet  by  3.5  feet; 
Half  Galleries,  4.5  feet  by  3  feet;  Branches,  3.5  feet 
by  2.5  feet;  Small  Branches,  2.5  feet  by  2  feet. 

GALLERY  PRACTICE :  Firing  at  reduced  targets  at 
short  ranges  with  small-caliber  rifles. 

GAS  MASK:  Protective  mask  against  suffocating 
gas. 

GRENADE:  Explosive  missile  thrown  by  hand  or 
projected  by  rifle. 

GRENADIER:  Specially  instructed  man  in  grenade 
combat. 

GROOVES:  Spiral  channels  within  bore  or  rifle 
barrel. 

GUIDE:  An  officer  or  non-commissioned  officer  or 
private  upon  whom  the  command  or  elements  thereof 
regulates  march. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  157 

HASTY  INTRENCHMENT:  Field  fortification  re- 
sorted to  by  troops  upon  the  battlefield  to  increase 
or  prolong  their  fighting  power,  usually  constructed 
in  presence  of  enemy  and  in  haste. 

HEAD:    Leading  element  of  a  command. 

HEAD :  Term  sometimes  applied  to  Latrine,  term  be- 
ing adopted  from  its  use  afloat. 

HEAD  COVER:  Term  applied  to  any  horizontal 
cover  which  may  be  provided  above  the  plane  of  fire. 
It  is  obtained  by  notching  or  loopholing  top  of 
parapet  so  that  bottoms  of  notches  or  loopholes  are 
in  desired  plane  of  fire. 

HIGH  EXPLOSIVE  SHELL  ("  H.  E.") :  Artillery 
projectile  containing  an  explosive  which  produces 
its  effect  by  the  rupture  of  the  shell  and  the  blast  of 
its  gases. 

HURDLE :  Basketwork  made  of  brushwood  for  revet- 
ment. Usual  size  6  feet  by  33  inches,  though  width 
may  be  varied  so  that  it  will  cover  desired  height  of 
slope. 

ILLUMINATING  CARTRIDGE,  25  mm.  (1  inch) 
with  parachute,  disengages  at  136  yds.  a  star  para- 
chute that  burns  30  seconds  and  is  incendiary. 

ILLUMINATING  GRENADE:  Cardboard  pellet 
size  of  tennis  ball,  thrown  by  hand,  and  illuminates 
place  where  it  falls  for  1  minute. 

ILLUMINATING  ROCKETS:  Release  a  parachute 
with  star  at  from  270  to  500  yds.,  and  illumination 
lasts  30  seconds. 


158  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

ILLUMINATING  STAR:  25  mm.,  without  para- 
chute ;  lights  at  50  yds.  from  point  of  departure  and 
illumines  for  6  seconds  while  falling. 

INDIVIDUAL  PRACTICE:  The  firing  on  the  range 
by  which  individual  soldier  receives  his  instruction 
and  by  which  his  classification  is  determined. 

INNER:  Annular  division  of  bull's-eye  targets  A, 
B,  and  C,  outside  the  center.  Hits  therein  count  3. 

INSTRUCTION  PRACTICE:  Prescribed  firing  on 
range  which  precedes  record  practice  and  which  is  de- 
voted to  instruction  of  the  soldier. 

INTERVAL:  Space  between  elements  of  same  line. 
Interval  between  men  in  ranks  is  4  inches  and  is 
measured  from  elbow  to  elbow.  Between  companies, 
squads,  etc.,  it  is  measured  from  the  left  elbow  of  the 
left  man  or  guide  of  group  on  the  right,  to  the  right 
elbow  of  the  right  man  or  guide  of  the  group  on  the 
left. 

KNEELING  TRENCH:  Hasty  intrenchment  for 
troops  kneeling.  Dirt  from  trench  makes  parapet. 
Width  of  trench  at  bottom,  from  2.5  to  3  feet ;  relief 
3  feet. 

LANDS:  Spaces  in  bore  of  rifle  barrel  between 
grooves. 

LATRINES:  Privy  or  water-closet.  Sometimes 
called  Head. 

LEFT:  The  left  extremity  or  element  of. a  body  of 
troops. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  159 

LIAISON :  Means  of  maintaining  communication  be- 
tween units,  especially  of  different  arms  or  services. 

LINE:  Formation  in  which  different  elements  are 
abreast  of  each  other. 

LINE  OF  AIM:  Imaginary  right  line  adjoining  mid- 
dle point  of  horizontal  line  of  the  open  sight,  or  center 
of  peep  sight,  and  the  point  of  aim. 

LISTENING  POSTS:  Small  posts,  dug  in  and  with 
overhead  cover,  about  20  to  100  yards  in  front  of 
fire  trenches ;  connected  with  fire  trench  by  means 
of  alarms  and  by  communication  leading  back 
through  main  belt  of  entanglement. 

LONG  RANGE :    From  800  to  1200  yards. 

LUNETTE:  An  open  field  work  with  a  trace  of  4 
lines :  2  called  faces,  and  2  called  shoulders. 

MARKSMAN:  Grade  of  rifleman  just  below  that  of 
sharpshooter. 

MASKS:  A  field  fortification  device  which  conceals 
the  defender  from  assailant's  view;  e.g.,  embank- 
ments, screens,  etc. 

MIDRANGE:    From  500  to  800  yards. 

MIRAGE:  A  word  used  to  designate  the  heat  waves 
observed  on  target  range  on  warm  days.  The  waves 
indicate  the  direction  in  which  air  is  moving.  Also 
an  optical  effect  produced  on  an  extended  plain  when 
the  lower  strata  of  air  are  at  very  different  tempera- 
ture from  higher  strata.  Distant  objects  are  seen, 
usually  inverted,  in  the  air. 


160  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

MITRAILLEUSE:    A  machine  gun. 

MELEE:    A  mix-up. 

MELINITE:  A  bursting  explosive;  upon  explosion 
generates  very  poisonous  gas. 

N.  C.  O. :    Abbreviation  for  non-commissioned  officer. 

OBSERVATION  POSTS :    See  Listening  posts. 

OBSTACLES :  Devices  used  to  retard  the  advance  of 
assailant;  e.g.,  abatis,  wire  entanglements,  etc. 

O'CLOCK:  A  term  employed  to  indicate,  by  means 
of  the  divisions  on  clock  dial,  location  of  hit  on  target 
or  direction  from  which  wind  blows.  In  speaking 
of  a  hit,  the  dial  is  supposed  to  occupy  the  front  of 
target  facing  firer  with  12  at  top.  In  speaking  of 
wind,  dial  is  supposed  to  lie  on  ground  with  12  to- 
ward target  and  center  at  firing  point.  See  also  Sec- 
tion XXIII,  Par.  1. 

ORDER,  CLOSE:  Formation  in  which  units,  in  dou- 
ble rank,  are  arranged  in  line  or  in  column,  with  nor- 
mal intervals  and  distances. 

ORDER,  EXTENDED:  Formation  in  which  units 
are  separated  by  intervals  greater  than  in  close  order. 

ORIENT:  To  get  bearings.  To  orient  oneself  on  a 
map  is  to  find  one's  position  on  the  map. 

OUTER:  Space  on  bull's-eye  targets  A,  B  and  C  out- 
side the  inner;  value  of  hits  therein  are  2. 

OUTGUARD:  Constitute  line  of  small  detachments 
farthest  to  the  front  and  nearest  the  enemy.  For 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  161 

convenience   they  are   classified  as  pickets,  sentry 
squads  and  cossack  posts. 

OVERHEAD  COVER:    See  Cover. 

PACE:  30  inches;  the  length  of  full  step  in  quick 
time. 

PAIRING:  Carrying  2  rods  together,  crossing  each 
other  in  and  out  at  each  picket,  in  bush  weaving  for 
revetting  materials. 

PALISADE:    A  man-tight  fence  of  posts. 

PARADOS:  A  mask  to  secure  protection  against  re- 
verse fire ;  they  are  mainly  parallel  to  parapet  which 
they  shelter. 

PARALLELS:  Trench  passageways  parallel  to  the 
front. 

PARAPET :  A  breastwork.  A  wall  or  bank  to  cover 
troops  from  front  attack. 

PASSING  THE  LINES  is  a  term  applied  when  re- 
serve battalions  cross  the  line  of  battalions  that  have 
just  delivered  the  assault,  to  attack  farther  to  the 
front. 

PICKET:  A  group  consisting  of  2  or  more  squads, 
ordinarily  not  exceeding  half  a  company,  posted  in 
line  of  outguards  to  cover  a  given  sector.  It  fur- 
nishes patrols,  and  one  or  more  sentinels,  dou- 
ble sentinels,  sentry  squads,  or  cossack  posts  for 
observation. 

PIT:    The  space  between  parapet  and  butt  or  bullet 
stop  occupied  by  markers  on  target  range. 
11 


162  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

PITS :    See  Trous  de  loup. 

POINT  OF  REST:  Point  at  which  a  formation  be- 
gins. Specifically,  the  point  toward  which  units  are 
aligned  in  successive  formations. 

PRELIMINARY  DRILLS:  Sighting,  position  and 
aiming  drills;  gallery  practice,  deflection  and  eleva- 
tion correction  drills. 

PRELIMINARY  PRACTICE:  Prescribed  firing  on 
range  which  precedes  competitions. 

PROFILE:  Section  of  any  cover  made  by  a  vertical 
plane  perpendicular  to  its  general  direction  or  prac- 
tically parallel  to  the  direction  of  fire  against  and 
over  it. 

PRONE :    Lying  flat  on  belly. 

QUICK  FIRE :  The  class  of  fire  employed  in  instruc- 
tion and  record  practice  for  pistol  and  revolver  when 
bobbing  targets  are  specified. 

RANDING:  Weaving  a  single  rod  in  and  out  between 
pickets  in  making  revetting  materials. 

RANGE:  (1)  Distance  of  objective  from  firer,  usually 
stated  in  yards.  (2)  Any  tract  of  land  over  which 
firing  with  small  arms  is  conducted. 

RANGE  DETERMINATION :  Finding  the  range  to 
an  object  by  use  of  instrumental  range  finders,  meas- 
urement, calculation,  or  trial  shots  or  volleys. 

RANGE  OFFICER :  A  commissioned  officer  charged 
with  care,  police,  etc.,  of  a  target  range  and  its 
accessories. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  163 

RANK:    A  line  of  men  placed  side  by  side. 

RAPID  FIRE.  Class  of  fire  employed  in  instruction 
and  qualification  practice  in  which  a  time  is  set  for 
completing  a  score  or  scores. 

REDAN :    A  salient  considered  as  a  separate  work. 

REDOUT:  A  work  entirely  inclosed  by  defensive 
parapets.  Called  fort  when  it  has  unusual  strength. 

RE-ENTRANT  ANGLE :  Angle  of  trace  of  field  work 
with  vertex  toward  defender. 

RELIEF:  The  elevation  of  the  interior  crest  of  a 
parapet  above  the  lowest  surface  immediately  in 
front — the  bottom  of  the  ditch  if  there  is  one.  With 
no  ditch  and  on  level  sight,  relief  is  same  as  com- 
mand. 

RELIEF:  A  group  of  soldiers  of  the  guard  that  fur- 
nishes substitutes  for  men  on  guard  or  post. 

REVETMENTS :  A  covering  or  facing  placed  upon  an 
earth  slope  to  enable  it  to  stand  at  an  inclination 
greater  than  its  natural  inclination. 

RICOCHET :  A  bullet  which  rebounds  after  striking 
the  ground  or  any  other  obstacle  and  continues  its 
flight. 

RIGHT :  The  right  extremity  or  element  of  a  body  of 
troops. 

SALIENT :  An  angle  in  trace  of  field  work  with  ver- 
tex toward  enemy. 

SAND  BAG  REVETMENT:  Sand  bag  is  33  by  14 
inches.  It  is  loosely  filled  with  earth  or  sand,  and, 


164  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

having  been  placed  in  position,  is  flattened  with  a 
shovel  to  roughly  rectangular  form  in  which  it  fills 
space  of  about  20  by  13  by  5  inches.  Weight  about  62 
pounds  per  100  unfilled,  and  each  filled  about  65 
pounds. 

SAPPER-BOMBARDIERS:  Infantrymen  employed 
with  low-power  trench  weapons. 

SAPPERS :    Men  skilled  in  sapping. 

SAPPING:    Operation  of  digging  saps. 

SAPS :  An  approach  dug  under  fire  working  progres- 
sively from  one  end  with  protection  against  fire.  The 
end  at  which  digging  is  in  progress  is  called  the  sap- 
head.  In  the  single  sap  construction,  protection  is 
required  in  front  and  on  one  side,  sand  bags  being 
used  in  front  and  the  evacuated  materials  thrown 
to  one  side  for  cover.  In  double  sap  2  parties  work 
parallel  with  each  other  and  throw  excavation  so  as 
to  give  cover  from  both  sides. 

SCARP:    Side  of  ditch  next  parapet. 

SCORE:  A  string  of  consecutive  shots  fired  in  indi- 
vidual practice.  Also,  number  of  points  registered 
in  one  or  more  scores,  value  of  sighting  shots  being 
excluded.  In  record  practice  with  rifle :  5  shots  in 
slow  fire,  10  shots  in  rapid  fire ;  5  shots  for  automatic 
pistol.  In  instruction  practice  10  or  5  shots  may 
constitute  a  score. 

SCORE  BOOK:  Contains  forms  for  recording  scores 
and  data  concerning  conditions  affecting  firing  and 
instructions. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  165 

SENTRY  SQUAD:  Squad  posted  in  observation  at 
an  indicated  point.  Posts  double  sentinel  in  obser- 
vation, remaining  men  remaining  near  by  as  reliefs. 
Sometimes  furnishes  a  patrol. 

"  75  "  is  term  applied  to  75  mm.  rapid-fire  gun  for 
French  light  and  horse  batteries.  Practically  3-inch 
caliber.  Extreme  range  9,300  yards. 

SHAFTS:    Underground  vertical  communication. 

SHARPSHOOTER:  Grade  of  rifleman  just  below 
that  of  expert  rifleman. 

SHELTER:  Term  applied  to  housing  or  lodging 
troops ;  e.g.,  barracks,  tents. 

SHELTERS:  Field  fortification  devices  for  protect- 
ing defender  from  assailant's  fire. 

SHIELDS :    See  Shelter. 

SHORT  RANGE:    0  to  500  yards. 

SHOT  MARKS:  Disks  of  thin  material,  3,  5,  10 
inches,  respectively,  with  a  wire  spring  of  2  branches 
secured  to  disk  near  its  center.  They  are  white  on 
one  side  and  black  on  the  other,  and  are  used  to 
mark  on  bull's-eye  target  the  position  of  last  shot. 

SHRAPNEL:  Projectile  which,  at  bursting  point, 
projects  its  bullets  contained  within  its  shell. 

SIEGE  WORKS:  Comprise  devices  used  by  besieg- 
ers and  besieged  in  the  attack  and  defense  of  strong 
fortifications,  and  especially  those  devices  which  en- 
able troops  to  advance  under  continuous  cover. 


166  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

SIGHTING  SHOTS:  Trial  shots  which  precede 
scores  in  qualification  test,  firing  to  enable  soldier 
to  determine  proper  sight  or  point  of  aim. 

SKIRMISHER'S  TRENCH  GIVES  COVER  TO  A 
MAN  LYING  DOWN:  Parapet  not  to  exceed  1 
foot.  In  soft  ground,  2.5  feet  front  of  this  trench 
can  be  constructed  by  one  man  in  20  minutes. 

SLEWING:  Weaving  2  or  more  rods  together  in 
same  way. 

SLOPE,  EXTERIOR:  Side  of  parapet  inclined  to- 
ward ditch. 

SLOPE,  INTERIOR:  Side  of  parapet  inclining  to- 
ward trench ;  called  breast  slope. 

SLOPE,  SUPERIOR:  Surface  of  parapet  between 
interior  and  exterior  slopes. 

SLOW  FIRE:  Class  of  fire  employed  in  instruction 
and  record  practice  in  which  no  time  limit  is  imposed 
for  completing  score. 

SNIPERSCOPE:  A  device  by  means  of  which  soldier 
behind  a  parapet  can  aim  and  fire  rifle  without  ex- 
posing himself. 

SOD  REVETMENT :  Clods  of  soil  with  grass  left  on, 
used  to  stiffen  embankments.  Convenient  size:  18 
by  9  by  4.5  inches. 

SORTIE  STEPS:  Steps  for  leaving  or  entering 
trenches. 

SPOTTER:  One  who,  in  team  practice,  announces 
value  of  shots  and  indicates  on  a  wooden  target,  by 
means  of  pins,  the  position  of  hits  on  range  target. 


RECRUIT  MANUAL  167 

STANDING  TRENCH :  Has  bottom  width  of  3  to 
3.5  feet,  and  relief  of  4.5  feet. 

TAMBOUR:  Small,  low,  stockaded  inelosure  or 
blockhouse  situated  to  fire  along  a  dead  angle. 

TASK:  A  piece  of  work  assigned.  The  average  un- 
trained man  can  dig  about  40  cu.  ft.,  hard  soil,  60 
cu.  ft.,  medium  soil,  or  80  cu.  ft.,  easy  soil,  during  a 
relief  of  4  hours'  continuous  digging. 

TELESCOPIC  SIGHT:  A  magnifying  device  at- 
tached to  barrel  of  rifle  for  better  defining  a  distant 
objective,  provision  being  made  for  adjustments  in 
elevation  and  windage. 

TENAILLE  TRACE :  Where  2  contiguous  trenches 
mutually  flank  each  other. 

TERRAIN :    The  ground. 

37  MM.  GUN:  Accurate,  light  weight,  rapid-fire  gun 
to  accompany  infantry  as  against  machine  guns.  Ef- 
fective range  1600  yards.  Fires  20  shots  per  minute. 
Caliber  equivalent  to  1.5  inch. 

TRACE:  In  field  fortification,  trace  is  horizontal 
projection  of  interior  crest.  Roughly,  it  is  the  line 
upon  which  the  trench  is  constructed. 

TRAJECTORY :    Path  described  by  bullet  in  air. 

TRANSVERSALS:  Trench  passageways  parallel  to 
front. 

TRAVERSE :  Mask  to  secure  protection  against  very 
oblique,  enfilade  or  reverse  fire,  by  intercepting  them 
before  they  fall  below  plane  of  desired  protection. 


168  RECRUIT  MANUAL 

TRENCHES  are  classified  as  firing,  communicating 
and  cover. 

TROUS  DE  LOUP :  Excavations  in  shape  of  inverted 
cones  or  pyramids,  with  pointed  stake  in  bottom. 
Sometimes  called  military  pits. 

TWIST:  Spiral  formed  by  the  grooves  in  the  barrel 
of  a  rifled  piece. 

WATLING:  General  term  applied  to  woven  part  of 
brush  construction. 

WAVE :    A  deployed  line  of  attackers. 

WINDAGE:  The  influence  of  the  wind  in  deflecting 
bullet  from  point  aimed  at;  also,  amount  of  change 
made  on  wind  gauge. 

WIRE  ENTANGLEMENT :  Stakes  driven  in  ground 
connected  by  wire,  passing  horizontally  or  diagon- 
ally, or  both.  Wire  usually  barbed.  In  high  en- 
tanglement stakes  average  4  feet  from  ground  and 
wire  horizontal  and  diagonal.  In  low  wire  entangle- 
ment stakes  average  18  inches  above  ground  and 
wire  is  horizontal  only. 

WORKING  PARTIES:  Made  up  into  reliefs  and  as 
far  as  possible  of  complete  units. 

ZERO:  Reading  of  wind  gauge  of  rifle  necessary  to 
overcome  drift  at  a  particular  range ;  all  allowances 
for  wind  should  be  calculated  from  this  reading. 
"  Zero  "  is  obtained  by  shooting  trial  shots  on  a  per- 
fectly calm  day. 


This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last 
date  stamped  below. 


APR!  7 191 


10M-1l-50f2955j470 


REMINGTON    RAND    INC.2O 


A  f\r\  • | 


